The $1.7 million, three-year plan to build a single public toilet in San Francisco is in jeopardy. California Governor Gavin Newsom has threatened to withhold the cash unless the city devises a more effective method to spend the money.
Last week, the astronomical expense of the toilet prompted California Assemblyman Matt Haney to cancel an event commemorating the new restroom in Noe Valley Town Square.
Former San Francisco mayor Newsom now threatens to completely withdraw the cash.
Erin Mellon, a spokeswoman for Newsom, told Fox News Digital on Sunday that a single, modest bathroom shouldn’t cost $1.7 million. “The state will withhold financing unless San Francisco submits a plan for more effective use of public funds. If they cannot do so, we will return to the legislature to rescind this allocation.”
Haney said the San Francisco Chronicle, which first revealed the $1.7 million toilet, that the governor’s office had contacted him over the pricing.
Haney told the newspaper, “I advocate not spending the money because the cost is outrageous and will take too long.”
“Noe Valley should receive a restroom, but $1.7 million should pay for seven facilities, and the installation should occur far more quickly. I support and concur with the governor on this matter. We will work together to accomplish this more quickly and affordably while simultaneously sending the message that San Francisco has to improve its flawed systems.”
The Recreation and Parks Department of San Francisco stated last week that the price is due to high construction expenses and the “cost of planning, drafting, permits, reviews, public engagement, and construction management.”
A park department representative told Fox News Digital, “We estimate high not because we want to spend more money, but because we want to guarantee we can deliver projects to communities even if we incur unforeseen expenditures.”