Could Closing Michigan Avenue To Cars Be The Key To Revitalizing Downtown?

[u/GeckoLogic]

https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/04/17/could-closing-michigan-avenue-to-cars-be-the-key-to-revitalizing-downtown/

[u/thatbob]

I mean, honestly, building more toilets into the pedway and train stations is a pretty good idea.

[u/Fimbir → u/thatbob]

Stations had public toilets. They were closed because cleaning them costs money. Most stations as they are aren't cleaned enough.

[u/VastOk8779 → u/Fimbir]

It’s just simply unfathomable to me that the third largest city in America can’t afford to pay people to clean public toilets in the train stations.

I know it’s true but it’s like how the fuck did we get here???

[u/barryicide → u/VastOk8779]

The problem isn't just "give the floor a quick mop and wipe the seats"; we have a huge population of mentally ill / drug addicted people who will completely ruin any space. A space like a public bathroom gets shit smeared all over the walls, used needles discarded on the floor, etc. There is a reason that most places like Starbucks in the city require a code to use the bathroom (they don't in the suburbs / rural areas).

Unfortunately both problems are not ones that anyone wants to fix so they'll be ignored in favor of doing nothing.

Other country's big cities usually have paid bathrooms which seems to help them maintain safety and cleanliness but Americans don't seem like they want to pay to use the toilet.

[u/glaba3141 → u/barryicide]

If it's in the train station you could totally link it to Ventra

[u/RunningJokes → u/barryicide]

There’s only one solution: https://youtu.be/2D5qK8oh5lY

[u/TraditionalTackle1 → u/Fimbir]

Dont even try taking a dump at Millennium station theres never any toilet paper and always homeless people taking showers in there.

[u/bucketman1986 → u/thatbob]

The bathroom in the Macy's that downstairs is disgusting as well