» Schenectady to install accessible – composting – bathroom at Central Park greenhouse

FILE - At the Central park Greenhouses in 2018.

SCHENECTADY — A new accessible bathroom with an environmentally friendly twist is coming to the Central Park greenhouse.

The city is planning to install a composting toilet near the greenhouse, which has a pair of restrooms that do not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The City Development & Planning Committee on Monday advanced a resolution awarding a $52,447 contract to install the facility on Monday. The full council is expected to approve the contract next week.

City Engineer Christopher Wallin said the city looked into upgrading one of the current bathroom facilities to meet ADA standards and making it available for public use, but the cost was too high and brought to light a number of security concerns.

The Friends of Central Park Greenhouse operate classes out of the facility and have electronic equipment stored there.

Wallin said the new facility aligns with the organization’s sustainability goals, adding that the toilet would require little maintenance since there would be no need to install water and electrical lines. A solar panel would power a fan and LED light and a below ground tank would store waste.

The facility would be powered by a solar panel, which would power a fan and LED light.

The new facility would also include an education component, allowing Friends of the Central Park Greenhouse to teach about composting, according to Wallin.

“It’s actually probably a little cheaper than modifying everything to go this route and they like it for their goals,” he said.

Contact reporter Chad Arnold at: 518-410-5117 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: @ChadGArnold.