Comments on: Shipley On The Pergola

By: David Badders

David Badders — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 01:23:07 +0000

Here’s a photo looking into the bathroom while they were rebuilding after the truck accident.
http://clerk.ci.seattle.wa.us/~scripts/nph-brs.exe?s1=pergola&S2=&S3=&l=100&Sect7=THUMBON&Sect6=HITOFF&Sect5=PHOT1&Sect4=AND&Sect3=PLURON&d=PHO3&p=2&u=%2F%7Epublic%2Fphot1.htm&r=113&f=G
Also, I actually built a 3D model of the comfort station which you can find here: http://www.seattlepi.com/transportation/343194_timeline12_web.html
You have to click on the “Related Content” photo gallery and go to the 6th photo.
I have a more detailed graphic with all the info about what parts were for men and women, paid v. free, and so on. I’ll finish this up in more detail and submit it. It has all the textures and colors. I asked historylink if they wanted it and didn’t get a reply so I’m mad at them now. Hopefully VintageSeattle won’t leave me hanging. I was a news artist with the PI before they shut down and did all the research and work but it never ran in the paper, just that little bit with the above link.

By: Jonathan S

Jonathan S — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:22:28 +0000

So, gang, I’ve asked the city and the underground tour folks what’ll it take to open the bathrooms up again. I’ll keep you posted!

By: Matt the Journeyman

Matt the Journeyman — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:31:41 +0000

Colin, we’re talking millions here. Name your price.

By: Colin

Colin — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 03:22:11 +0000

you couldn’t pay me enough to protect a public toilet in downtown Seattle.

By: Seattle Greg

Seattle Greg — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:14:38 +0000

While access to the voids under the sidewalk are usually the domain of the building owners, I believe the restrooms are city held.

I have long wondeered after we spent some 5 million dollars on Super Porta Potties if for a lot less we could have renovated the old ones underground. In England, they restrooms often had attendents who were paid, and could garner tips for keeping them clean, tidy and stocked.

For 5 million we could have not only renovated, but creat restroom attendant positions as a make jobs program or job entry program. Might serve well to handle the needs and the crowds.

By: Ben Lukoff

Ben Lukoff — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:35:17 +0000

It was my understanding that the building owners control access to the parts of the Underground that are essentially their basements, and that the city controls access to what’s beneath the streets and sidewalks. I would LOVE to see more of what’s down there.

By: Andy Bookwalter

Andy Bookwalter — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 02:51:35 +0000

When I took the Underground Tour 5 or so years ago our guide hinted that access to the toilets was possible, and had been done in the past. Is it just city property? Maybe a tour could be put together as a fundraiser for historylink (or vintageseattle.org!) Someone must have an in with the city who could get us in there.

By: Brycen

Brycen — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 02:00:50 +0000

I remember years ago talk of adding it to the underground tour. I found a small article from a decade ago. I guess it would cost too much to open it.

It still would be great to get some photos.

Here is the link to the story.

http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19990825&slug=2979176

By: Matt the Journeyman

Matt the Journeyman — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:04:50 +0000

I’m assuming that they (the toilets) are still there alongside the other parts of underground Pioneer Square. Who has jurisdiction of (and keys to) the portions of the underground that are not on Bill Seidel’s Doc Maynard’s tour? Cliffe, maybe you could wrangle a recon with your camera, and tell them you’ll need a shirpa for your tripod, so I can come too.

By: Ben Lukoff

Ben Lukoff — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:49:53 +0000

I’d love to see some. Not many people have been down there.