Mayor Mamdani Brings 17 New Public Bathrooms to Neighborhoods Across New York City

NEW YORK – Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani today announced that the installation of 17 new public bathrooms has begun across New York City, bringing free, accessible facilities to public plazas and high-traffic areas where New Yorkers currently lack reliable access to a bathroom.

Mayor Mamdani first announced the City’s commitment to a $4 million modular public bathroom pilot in January. In June, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) selected Throne Labs through a competitive bidding process to deliver, operate and service the bathrooms.

Each bathroom will be free and open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The ADA-accessible, fully touchless units include a comfortable interior, running-water sink, flushing toilet, climate control and a baby-changing station.

“Too many New Yorkers know what it’s like to have nowhere to go while they’re on the go,” said Mayor Mamdani. “This pilot is about making sure New Yorkers can count on a clean, safe, accessible bathroom when they need one. We are going to learn from this pilot and build a public bathroom network that meets the needs of New Yorkers in every borough.”

The pilot will run for one year, with installation beginning this week.

Locations include:

• Bronx: Yankee Stadium, Admiral Farragut Playground, Mapes Park and Monsignor Raul Del Valle Square
• Brooklyn: Columbus Park, Milestone Park, Fulton Street and Truxton Street and Avenue C Plaza
• Queens: Astoria Boulevard South and 31st Street, Northern Boulevard and 31st Street, Northern Boulevard and 54th Street and 34th Avenue and 64th Street
• Manhattan: Cooper Square, Malcolm X Plaza, Delancey Street and Suffolk Street and Plaza Alianza Dominicana
• Staten Island: North Shore Esplanade

Throne Labs operates networks of public bathrooms in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Atlanta, Seattle, the Bay Area and Detroit. The self-contained units do not require connections to water, sewer or power infrastructure, allowing them to be deployed, relocated or removed as community needs change.

Throne Labs will be responsible for cleaning and maintaining each unit. Real-time feedback will allow the company to respond quickly to issues and prioritize units that need attention.

New Yorkers can enter the bathrooms by text message, QR code, through the Throne Bathroom Network app or a tap card distributed by local community partners. The app also allows users to find the nearest bathroom, check real-time cleanliness ratings and see whether a unit is available.

“All New Yorkers deserve welcoming public spaces that allow them to get where they’re going with dignity and feel cared for. Public restrooms improve the quality of life for everyone, especially our older adults, parents with young children, delivery workers, people with disabilities and so many more,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “We are proud to have partnered with NYCEDC and Parks to help site these public bathroom locations in high-traffic areas across the five boroughs.”

“This modular restroom pilot ensures that more New Yorkers can easily access free public restrooms where they’re needed most across the five boroughs,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. “As the city’s largest provider of free restroom facilities, Parks is pleased to collaborate on an innovative approach to create clean, safe and fully accessible bathrooms more quickly and efficiently.”

“Whether you are making deliveries, working on a construction site, driving a cab or simply spending the day out and about in your neighborhood, you should have reliable access to clean and free restrooms,” said NYCEDC President and CEO Anthony Shorris. “Access to a restroom is a basic matter of dignity, and these new locations deliver on the City’s commitment to bring facilities to the communities and public spaces where they are needed most.”

“No one should have to worry about finding a public bathroom in this city,” said Council Member Sandy Nurse. “For decades, our inability to build and manage public restrooms has effectively excluded some people from public space. This is why I am so happy to see the Mamdani administration partner with Throne Labs to install 17 free, menstrual-friendly, cost-effective modular public bathrooms across the city. Slowly but surely, we are moving towards doubling the number of public restrooms by 2035 and creating the city’s first comprehensive public bathroom strategy. Doing so will make our city more livable, more enjoyable and ensure public space is for everyone.”

“Access to a clean, safe public bathroom is a matter of basic dignity, not a luxury,” said Council Member Shaun Abreu. “These 17 new restrooms will serve the seniors, parents, their children and everyday New Yorkers who have too often been left searching in vain for a place to go. I applaud Mayor Mamdani and the EDC for delivering such a practical solution, and hope to see this program grow.”

“New Yorkers know access to public restrooms is a necessity when moving around the city and that not finding one can be disruptive — for mothers with young children especially,” said Council Member Rita Joseph. “This investment is a great first step to improving access.”

“My gut has always caused me issues, and I try not to leave my house without knowing exactly where the nearest restroom is going to be,” said Fletcher Wilson, Co-founder and CEO of Throne Labs. “That constant worry follows me everywhere. We started Throne to solve exactly this problem, and we’re proud to bring Throne’s restroom solution to all five boroughs of New York City. This launch is personal to me, and I hope it makes daily life a little easier for everyone who calls this city home.”

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