SBA/SDF to focus on public restrooms 

 

SALUDA—The City of Saluda is moving on building public restrooms in Pace Park downtown.  

The Saluda Board of Commissioners met last week and approved sending out requests for proposals.  

Commissioners heard from city manager Jonathan Cannon, who said the architect has finished up the specifications.  

“So we don’t know whether we can build it or not, depending on the costs,” Cannon said.  

Lynn Casey, with the Saluda Downtown Business Association/Saluda Downtown Foundation said the Saluda Downtown Foundation really wants to focus on the bathrooms.  

“The board has been adamant that is their focus,” Casey said.  

Saluda Mayor Fred Baisden asked how much money the city has for the restrooms. City Finance Officer Julie O’Steen said without the SBA’s $7,000, the city has $3,487 plus another $6,900 from Coon Dog Day that is in the city fund balance. In total, there is over $17,000 including funding from the SBA.  

Cannon said the quote on the constructing the slab was $11,000, but the estimates could be different now.  

The city has planned for years to construct public restrooms in Pace Park. The city is taking donations and using other ways to construct the restrooms, including profits from Coon Dog Day festivals annually. The restrooms are planned to include separate men’s and women’s restrooms with sinks.  

The women’s restroom is proposed to have three stalls and a changing station and the men’s to have two stalls, two urinals and a changing station. The plans approved a couple of years ago also include a utility closet and both restrooms being ADA compliant.  

The design is for 336-square foot and based on costs of $100-$150 per square foot, the total estimate for the restrooms is $33,660-$50,400, according to figures a few years ago.  

Saluda plans to raise the money for the public restrooms through donations and grants.  

The restrooms are proposed to be located towards the rear of Pace Park, which was created in an alleyway downtown.  

Anyone wishing to donate funding for the new restrooms can contact city hall at 828-749-2581.