logo
Waimea Bay restrooms close for major renovations

Waimea Bay restrooms close for major renovations

Yahoo15-04-2025
COURTESY DPR The Waimea Bay Beach Park restrooms will be closed, starting today, for several months of renovations.
1 /2 COURTESY DPR The Waimea Bay Beach Park restrooms will be closed, starting today, for several months of renovations.
COURTESY DPR The Waimea Bay Beach Park restrooms will be closed, starting today, for several months of renovations.
2 /2 COURTESY DPR The Waimea Bay Beach Park restrooms will be closed, starting today, for several months of renovations.
COURTESY DPR The Waimea Bay Beach Park restrooms will be closed, starting today, for several months of renovations.
COURTESY DPR The Waimea Bay Beach Park restrooms will be closed, starting today, for several months of renovations.
The restrooms at the popular Waimea Bay Beach Park on Oahu's North Shore have been closed, starting today, for scheduled renovations.
City officials said the $687, 732 renovation project, which includes complete reconstruction of the comfort station's roof and bathroom repairs, will require the closure of the entire facility for at least five months.
The anticipated completion date of the renovations and reopening is by the end of September.
In the meantime, officials from the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation said a dozen portable toilets, including two ADA-accessible bathrooms, will be available to the public. The beach showers will also remain available.
No public parking is expected to be affected by the project. An area adjacent to the restrooms, however, will be used to stage equipment.
DPR staff are working with first responders to relocate their equipment and to ensure there is no disruption to emergency services during the renovations.
Don 't miss out on what 's happening !
Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE !
Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA.
DPR said renovations begin with a complete roof reconstruction that will replace support beams and shingles at the restrooms, which were contracted out to Moriyama Construction Inc. at a cost of $687, 732.
Following the roofing work, in-house DPR maintenance staff will improve bathroom fixtures, partitions, and flooring.
'The facility restorations are part of DPR's effort to revitalize some of our most heavily used park facilities, such as playgrounds, outdoor courts, and bathrooms, ' said DPR in a news release. 'Since 2015, this has resulted in renovations to 176 comfort stations around the island. We greatly appreciate the patience and understanding of kamaaina and malihini (locals and tourists ) who plan on visiting Waimea Beach during this facility improvement effort.'
1 Comments By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our.
Having trouble with comments ? .
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Coastal Commission approves plan to make the beach at the Wedge ADA accessible
Coastal Commission approves plan to make the beach at the Wedge ADA accessible

Los Angeles Times

time11 hours ago

  • Los Angeles Times

Coastal Commission approves plan to make the beach at the Wedge ADA accessible

Beach sand won't be a wedge between people with mobility impairments and better views of famed shore-breaking waves in Newport Beach for much longer. The California Coastal Commission Friday gave unanimous approval to the city's plan to extend a concrete pathway and build a viewing pad near the Wedge to make the beach next to it more ADA accessible. 'We are pleased that the commission has approved an expansion of the pathway and creation of a viewing area at one of the world's most iconic surf breaks,' said John Pope, city spokesperson. 'The new pathway will allow visitors with wheelchairs, walkers and strollers to view and visit the Wedge and will advance the city's broader goals of expanding access for all members of the public.' Don Schmitz, a consultant for the city, prepared a presentation for the commission meeting held at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas, but commissioners didn't need much convincing as the project was moved to be streamlined alongside other consent calendar items. 'We're very grateful for the cooperation and coordination work of your staff,' Schmitz told commissioners in lieu of giving the presentation. 'This is a critical vertical access way to the iconic beach of the Wedge, which is world famous. This will provide ADA access so folks can go down and watch the surfers risk their lives against the jetty.' According to the staff report for the coastal development permit, the concrete pathway is slated to be 200 feet long while the viewing pad will be 10 feet wide. The pathway would be an extension of an existing concrete walkway at the end of Channel Road adjacent to Jetty View Park. In addition to ADA accessibility, it will also provide improved access for first responders. The commission has historically been cautious about approving plans to pave through sandy beaches, as such projects can have a disruptive impact on coastal habitats. Newport Beach, in ongoing conversations with commission staff, altered its original design. Schmitz spoke with Meagan Harmon, the commission's chair, earlier this month and noted the city's agreement with the recommended changes. Schmitz's presentation, provided to the Daily Pilot, reassured that the pathway and viewing pad would avoid any disruption to the dune habitat at the beach. Formal permit approval hinges on Newport Beach submitting revised construction and site plans. The city must also assume the risk of building in a hazardous coastal zone and waive liability as part of the conditions for approval. Bob Yant, a Newport Beach resident, urged the commission to move the project forward as he became a power wheelchair user after an ocean diving accident on the Balboa Peninsula 44 years ago. Yant shared how his friends used to lift his wheelchair up by the wheels to get him closer to the Wedge, but that is no longer a viable option for him as time has passed on. 'Extension of the sidewalk to allow viewing the Wedge surfing area would be a great improvement in the quality of life for me and many others,' Yant wrote to commissioners. 'I've witnessed many other individuals being left behind when the rest of their group walk out to view the amazing waves.' 'Those who use wheelchairs, walkers and canes, or push baby strollers deserve equal access to our city's beautiful site,' he added. Newport Beach expects to award a contract in November with pathway construction beginning as soon as early 2026. The project does not have a price tag but the city anticipates an estimate in the coming months.

Tallest subway platform in NYC among 60 stations set to finally get elevators: ‘They're climbing Mount Everest'
Tallest subway platform in NYC among 60 stations set to finally get elevators: ‘They're climbing Mount Everest'

New York Post

time2 days ago

  • New York Post

Tallest subway platform in NYC among 60 stations set to finally get elevators: ‘They're climbing Mount Everest'

For Brooklyn subway riders, it's only up from here. The Big Apple's tallest subway station is finally set to get elevators, putting an end to straphangers' 90-foot hike that officials have likened to 'climbing Mount Everest.' The century-old Smith-9th Street subway station in Gowanus – one of the tallest in the world – is slated to finally get elevators and bring relief to huffing-and-puffing F and G train riders under the MTA's 2025-29 capital plan, state Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D-Brooklyn) said. 5 The Big Apple's tallest subway station is finally set to get elevators, putting an end to straphangers' 90-foot climb that officials have likened to 'climbing Mount Everest.' AP 'Every day, New Yorkers hike the stairs up this station like they're climbing Mount Everest, struggling to catch the train on time,' Gounardes said in an Aug. 8 announcement. 'And if you use a wheelchair, push your child in a stroller, travel with luggage or simply struggle climbing the stairs, forget about it,' he said. 'With elevators coming to the Smith-9th Street station, that's finally going to change.' It's not clear when the installation is set to take place or exactly how much it will cost. The funding will come from the MTA's approved $68.4 billion capital plan, which budgets to add elevators at over 60 subway stations. The 92-year-old Smith-9th Street station underwent a complete overhaul a decade ago, but it still only has escalators — which have a 'long history of breaking down,' said state Assembly member Jo Anne Simon. 5 The century-old station is slated to finally get elevators, bringing relief to huffing-and-puffing F and G train riders under the MTA's $68.4 billion capital plan, Sen. Andrew Gounardes said. Paul Martinka 5 The Smith-9th Street station elevated platform in Gowanus, Brooklyn. Paul Martinka At the time of the revamp in 2013, 'the MTA would not budge on its refusal to install elevators,' said Simon, whose district covers Gowanus. 'Climbing the tallest station in the system shouldn't be an endurance test,' the said. 'I commend the MTA for making accessibility a priority in the Capital Plan, especially at tough stations like Smith-9th that present greater challenges than most.' Other Brooklyn stations set to get elevator access include Court Street, Hoyt-Schermerhorn, 36th Street and 4th Ave–9th Street, Gounardes said. 5 'Every day, New Yorkers hike the stairs up this station like they're climbing Mount Everest,' Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D-Brooklyn) said. AP The planned upgrades will expand accessibility across the subway system, with more than 50% stations at ADA compliance. The MTA must meet a 95% ADA-accessible station benchmark by 2055, according to a 2023 court settlement. 5 Despite the 92-year-old station having undergone a complete overhaul decade ago, the station still only has escalators which have a 'long history of breaking down,' said Assembly member Jo Anne Simon. Paul Martinka 'No station better demonstrates the need for accessibility than Smith-9th St, the highest point in the entire subway system,' said MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo, 'and we're excited to start work there and throughout the borough soon.' Francis Brown, president of the Red Hook Houses East Resident Association, noted the project will greatly benefit seniors living in nearby public housing buildings. 'This station is our connection to the rest of the city, and to our jobs, our schools, our doctors, and so much more,' Brown said, 'but right now, that climb to the subway platform can be a barrier, instead of a connector.' Karen Blondel, the president of the Red Hook Houses West Resident Association, added: 'For NYCHA residents in Red Hook, Smith and 9th is the only nearby subway station—and without elevators, it's a daily struggle.'

NYC public bathroom a surprise finalist in national ‘best restroom awards' — but there's a catch
NYC public bathroom a surprise finalist in national ‘best restroom awards' — but there's a catch

New York Post

time7 days ago

  • New York Post

NYC public bathroom a surprise finalist in national ‘best restroom awards' — but there's a catch

This New York City bathroom is on a roll. The 2025 America's Best Restroom Awards by Cintas Corporation has narrowed the competition down to nine finalists — and the stunning bathroom at The Rooftop at Pier 17 in lower Manhattan has made the cut. 4 The Rooftop at Pier 17 is one of the finalists in the 2025 America's Best Restroom Awards. Stephen Yang As any New Yorker knows, it's tough to find a clean, decent bathroom here. Well, the venue's restrooms are far beyond clean and decent — they're described as 'expansive' and 'luxurious.' Before you get too excited thinking this will become your go-to bathroom stop when in lower Manhattan, since The Rooftop at Pier 17 is a scenic concert venue — its bathrooms are only open to the public when events and performances are happening. But if you find yourself in the area when the bathrooms are open, they're worth checking out. Situated at 89 South St, Pier 17 — these restrooms have stunning panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline and natural light that blares through the oversized windows. Long bathroom lines begone — this bathroom, nice enough to hang out in, has 75 stalls and smooth concrete walls, soft lighting and 'clean, modern atmosphere,' as noted by the competition's judges. 4 Judges noted the elegance of the restroom with 75 stalls and a 'clean, modern atmosphere.' Alamy Stock Photo The restroom's accessibility was also praised, featuring well-maintained family-friendly facilities and ADA-compliant sinks. Considering the other bathrooms that made it into the top 9 were selected based on 'cleanliness, visual appeal, innovation, functionality and unique design elements,' according to Pix 11 — it's no surprise that Pier 17's restrooms were included. When describing these bathrooms — judges said it offers 'a thoughtful extension of the rooftop's upscale experience,' adding that it has an 'airy, open feel.' 4 The restrooms were acknowledged for their panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline. Facebook/Karen Libby The public can vote for the bathroom they believe should be the winner up until Friday, August 15, at 11:59 a.m. ET. 'We're searching for restrooms that offer more than just functionality, but deliver a memorable, hygienic and innovative experience for guests,' Emily Ramos, Director of Marketing at Cintas, said in a press release. 4 Accessibility was also praised, featuring well-maintained family-friendly facilities and ADA-compliant sinks. Freepik 'For more than 24 years, this contest has recognized businesses nationwide that set a high standard for restroom cleanliness, design and overall experience.' Other bathroom finalists included: Bear Head Lake State Park (Ely, Minnesota); City of Fruita (Fruita, Colorado); Footprints (Lawrence, Kansas); Little America Hotel (Salt Lake City, Utah); Moderne Bar (Orlando, Florida); Rosebrook Lodge (Bretton Woods, New Hampshire); Tatsu (Dallas, Texas); and Tecolote Shores (San Diego, California).

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store