Albuquerque unveils a new place to go in Civic Plaza

You don't have to hold it anymore if you're in Downtown Albuquerque. There's a new public restroom ready for anyone who's got to go — including the estimated 3,000 people living on the city's streets.

The city on Monday unveiled a new Portland Loo, a single-stall outdoor restroom that sits on the south side of Civic Plaza, near Fourth and Tijeras, as a permanent fixture, according to a news release. Wrapped in a Route 66-style graphic to be shown off as "something special in Civic Plaza," the facility is available for anyone at any time.

“Portland Loos are easy to clean, easy to use, and accessible for everyone,” said Jennifer Turner, director of the city's Department of Municipal Development. “We look at this as a long-term investment in keeping Downtown clean and safe.”

It's the second Portland Loo to be placed in Albuquerque — the first was installed in Old Town roughly five years ago — and there are plans to put another restroom near the Alvarado Transportation Center by next spring, according to Municipal Development spokesperson Dan Mayfield.

 The restroom costs roughly $750,000 per unit — around twice the median home price in Albuquerque — and is funded by the federal government, according to Mayfield. He did not specify the source of the federal funding.

The final price tag for such toilets has varied widely. In November 2024, the Wichita, Kansas City Council approved $500,000 to add two of the toilets to its downtown area — a cost that also included money to add a hydration station and water fountain. 

The newest Portland Loo in Albuquerque has amenities that were not included in the Old Town restroom, including automatic blue lighting meant to "discourage drug use inside the unit," the release states.

"You can't see your veins under blue light," Mayfield said. 

Mayfield acknowledged the blue light would not stop people from smoking fentanyl, which has become the drug of choice and method of ingestion around the nation in recent years.

Small, angled cracks also allow law enforcement visibility within the unit while still maintaining user privacy, according to the city. 

Designed for families, workers, and tourists alike, the Portland Loo features a baby-changing station and is accessible for people with disabilities. It's equipped with a low-flow toilet to be more environmentally friendly and a stainless steel design to resist graffiti, vandalism, and other potential damage.

Nakayla McClelland covers crime and breaking news. Reach her at nmcclelland@abqjournal.com or at 505-823-3857.