Portland Loo Comes to Civic Plaza

ALBUQUERQUE – Downtown now has a new Portland Loo, a specially designed outdoor restroom for busy urban locations.

The Portland Loo is known for a durable design with community-friendly features. It’s an open door for tourists, Downtown workers, commuters, and families, which means it includes a baby-changing station. Portland Loo restrooms are a unique type of tough all-metal, modular, public restroom that are designed to be easily used, easily cleaned, accessible and safe. The new Loo is on the south side of Civic Plaza, near Tijeras and 4^th Downtown.

“Portland Loos are easy to clean, easy to use, and accessible for everyone” said Jennifer Turner, Director of the Department of Municipal Development. “We look at this as a long-term investment in keeping Downtown clean and safe.”

Portland Loos were designed in Portland, Oregon as a next-generation public facility. They are modular, and include heavy-gauge stainless steel walls, a graffiti-proof coating, blue motion senor lights, and come pre-assembled. The City of Albuquerque’s first Portland Loo was installed several years ago in Old Town and has proved to be a successful respite for those who need to take a break.

Portland Loo facilities are unique, and designed to come fully assembled, but need to be plumbed into water lines.

The City of Albuquerque noted the following features in choosing to install a Portland Loo in Civic Plaza:

1. Cost-Effective Durability:
   Built to last for decades, the Loo features a stainless-steel design that resists vandalism, graffiti, and wear. Its efficient water and energy usage also ensure minimal operational expenses.
2. Crime-Deterrent Features:
   Unlike traditional public restrooms, the Loo's open design deters illegal activities. Angled louvers maintain user privacy while allowing visibility for law enforcement, and blue lighting helps discourage drug use inside the unit.
3. Cleaner, Healthier Cities:
   By addressing the lack of accessible public restrooms, cities can prevent unsanitary conditions in public spaces—promoting better public health, cleanliness, and a more welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike.
4. Minimal Maintenance & Easy Repairs:
   The Loo is designed for hassle-free upkeep with simple hosing or power washing. Its modular construction allows for individual components—like doors, panels, or fixtures—to be replaced as needed without requiring full-unit repairs. Replacement parts can be sourced locally, avoiding the delays and costs associated with proprietary systems.
5. We can wrap it!

The Loo will be wrapped in a new Route 66-themed graphics that will set it off as something special on Civic Plaza.

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