For Immediate Release
Portland Downtown Opens Seasonal Public Restroom
The “Container Potty” launches today in the Arts District of downtown Portland, Maine
Portland, ME — Portland Downtown proudly announces the opening of a new seasonal public restroom in the Arts District of downtown Portland, starting today, Tuesday, September 3. This initiative, developed in collaboration with the City of Portland, marks a significant step in enhancing public restroom access across the downtown area.
The new restroom unit, a model known as the Container Potty, is housed in a refurbished shipping container and features two gender-neutral stalls, including an ADA-accessible option. It also offers a handwashing station on the exterior, LED motion-activated solar lighting, and automatic internal door locks for safety and energy efficiency. The facility, available through mid-November, is free and open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. It will be cleaned at least twice weekly, with regular monitoring to adjust the cleaning schedule as needed.
“To be a truly inclusive community you have to provide public restrooms,” said Portland Downtown Executive Director Cary Tyson. “We simply cannot ignore the human need. Placing the restroom in the Arts District helps with the ‘range anxiety’ of folks wanting to shop beyond the Old Port, but are concerned they may end up in a challenging situation.”
The restroom installation follows the release of the Public Restroom Master Plan for Portland Downtown’s District, developed by Portland Downtown with Cruise Maine, Visit Portland, and consultant Lezlie Lowe. It also responds to findings from the MIT study, Rebuilding Main Street After Covid-19: Four Years Later, which highlighted the need for more public restrooms downtown.
“The City of Portland has been very focused on making sure that we have public restrooms available in our city as we know it’s a key part of ensuring we continue to be an attractive place to visit,” said City Manager Danielle West. “Over the last three years, we’ve installed 15 public restrooms throughout the city – with three more to come this fall – that staff maintain. We know there are still areas that could use a restroom facility, and that’s why we’re glad we could support Portland Downtown in placing a new restroom in the Arts District.”
Local Maine artist Jill Perry of Third Bird Creative Co. designed the vibrant exterior wrap for the restroom, featuring dynamic colors and patterns that reflect the artistic spirit of the district. Perry is also known for her crosswalk mural at Gorham’s Corner, completed in 2023.
This project is supported by Portland Downtown and a generous contribution from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
Media Contact
Cary Tyson, Executive Director
cary@portlandmaine.com
207.772.6828 x212
About Portland Downtown
Portland Downtown is a 501c4 non profit Downtown Improvement District (DID) working to stimulate a thriving, vibrant, and sustainable downtown community.
