By Y.M. Lowy

Avenue C Plaza is among 17 locations across New York City where new public bathrooms are being installed as part of a new citywide pilot program.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that installation of the bathrooms has begun under a $4 million program designed to bring free public restrooms to plazas and other high-traffic areas.

The bathroom at Avenue C Plaza, located on McDonald Avenue between Avenue C and Church Avenue, will be free to use daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The units are ADA-accessible and include a flushing toilet, running-water sink, climate control and a baby-changing station.

The bathrooms are being provided through Throne Labs, which was selected by the NYC Economic Development Corporation following a competitive bidding process. The company will be responsible for cleaning and maintaining the units.

The pilot will run for one year. Users will be able to access the bathrooms by text message, QR code, the Throne Bathroom Network app or a tap card distributed by local community partners.

The location is particularly notable as the neighborhood currently has limited access to public restrooms. The other locations are spread across the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and Staten Island.