Seattle is launching a pilot program to install four new public restrooms in Pioneer Square as city leaders work to improve sanitation, accessibility, and the downtown experience ahead of the FIFA Men’s World Cup and broader revitalization efforts.
The city is partnering with Throne Labs to install four solar-powered public restrooms at two Pioneer Square locations: Second Avenue South and South Washington Street, and First Avenue South and South Charles Street outside Lumen Field. Two restroom units will be installed at each location and will operate daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
City officials say the project addresses one of downtown Seattle’s most visible quality-of-life issues by expanding access to public facilities while helping reduce human waste on sidewalks.
“Seattle residents shouldn’t have to struggle to find a public bathroom,” the Seattle Department of Transportation said in announcing the project, noting that providing places for people to go when they “need to go” addresses the problem directly rather than simply cleaning around it.
“Today is a first step to delivering on Seattle’s number 1 and number 2 priority: creating clean, accessible, and safe public bathrooms,” said Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson. “This is a simple solution to address one of our most basic human needs, and a step toward creating a more livable and welcoming city for everyone.”
The pilot program will run for one year as SDOT evaluates how the restrooms perform under real-world conditions. Officials said the review will include technology performance, cleanliness, maintenance needs, and public feedback to determine whether the facilities should become a permanent part of city services and potentially expand to other locations.
The restroom units are manufactured by Throne Labs and are designed to operate without traditional plumbing hookups. The facilities use solar power with backup batteries and contain onboard freshwater and waste tanks, allowing them to function without direct utility connections while reducing installation time and costs.
Each unit is ADA accessible and includes grab bars, baby-changing stations, touchless toilets and handwashing systems, and NaviLens technology to assist people who are blind or have low vision.
Users can access the restrooms by scanning a QR code, sending a text message, or using the Throne mobile app. The city said downtown ambassadors and CARE team members are being trained to assist people who do not have cell phones and will help facilitate restroom access in the coming weeks.
The restrooms will be cleaned multiple times each day. Sensors built into the units notify maintenance crews when freshwater supplies run low or waste reservoirs require service, while users can also report unsanitary conditions and provide cleanliness ratings through the system. If issues are reported, Throne dispatches maintenance crews for servicing.
The company currently operates similar restroom systems in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles County, Washington, D.C., and Ann Arbor, Michigan. According to Throne Labs, users nationally rate restroom cleanliness an average of 4.1 out of 5.
The restroom initiative is part of a broader city effort to improve downtown public spaces ahead of the World Cup and beyond. During the tournament, Pioneer Square is expected to become a pedestrian zone on match days, with more than 100 portable toilets planned in addition to the new restroom units.
The effort also aligns with other city investments, including seven new water bottle refill stations, expanded public seating, lighting improvements, artwork installations, and programming around transit hubs aimed at creating more welcoming public spaces.
Angela Brady, acting director of the Seattle Department of Transportation, said public restrooms are an important part of creating welcoming and accessible urban spaces.
“Clean, accessible restrooms are a basic part of what makes a city feel welcoming and safe for everyone,” said Brady. “Partnering with Throne gives us an innovative, fast-to-deploy solution that fits into our mission to build a livable and accessible city.”
