The City of Long Beach is taking a step towards enhancing the public restroom experience through a new partnership with Throne Labs, launching a pilot program that aims to offer more sanitary, secure, and user-friendly facilities in select city locations. As part of the collaboration, smart public restrooms have been installed at DeForest Park, Harvey Milk Promenade Park, Belmont Pier, and Shoreline Marina. These restrooms, designed to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, come equipped with modern amenities such as running water sinks, flushing toilets, baby changing stations, and complimentary menstrual products, as reported by the City of Long Beach.
Mayor Rex Richardson expressed the city's dedication to improving local infrastructure by stating, "Public restrooms are necessary infrastructure that serve everyone in our community. This pilot program with Throne represents our commitment to exploring innovative options to increase access to clean, accessible and safe public facilities." According to a release by the City of Long Beach, the smart restrooms' performance will be tracked through sensors that monitor cleanliness and usage, complemented by public feedback on safety perceptions and overall satisfaction.
Emphasizing the importance of public amenities, Jessica Heinzelman, COO and Co-founder of Throne Labs, told the City of Long Beach, "Access to clean bathrooms is essential for vibrant communities, and our mission is to create facilities that everyone wants to use." The city also plans to undertake a comprehensive analysis post-pilot, evaluating the cost-effectiveness and determining the feasibility of a more permanent initiative.
Residents and visitors in Long Beach can look forward to cleaner, safer, and more accessible public restrooms with the installation of these innovative units. More information about the pilot program and Throne Labs can be found on the City’s official website and at thronelabs.co.
