Seattle's 5 high-tech public toilets will be removed by July 1

Seattle will close all its automated public toilets by July 1, the City Council decided this afternoon.

Although people were using the five high-tech, self-cleaning silver stalls, the toilets also fostered illegal behavior, said Council President Richard Conlin.

The toilets are at Victor Steinbrueck, Hing Hay, Waterfront and Occidental parks and at 1801 Broadway. The council voted to install them four years ago to provide facilities to tourists and homeless people.

Seattle Public Utilities hopes to set up agreements with other public agencies to make their bathrooms available.

City officials say they hope to put up signs so people know where they can find other public restrooms when the automated toilets are gone.

"Signage should be up as soon as these toilets are decommissioned," said Councilmember Nick Licata. "I think it would be unfortunate if we take these away and just end up spreading the problem to the alleys."

Seattle Public Utilities has spent $5 million on the contract for the restrooms.

The resolution was adopted unanimously by council members Licata, Conlin, Richard McIver, Jean Godden and Sally Clark. The council's other four members were not present.

Sharon Pian Chan: 206-464-2958 or schan@seattletimes.com