If a downtown project goes ahead, the city can to choose between the Chevy version of a public washroom, a Cadillac version, or something in between.

Staff are considering Dundonald Park on Somerset St., between Bay and Lyon streets, for a pilot project to create a public washroom.

Several community groups, such as the Gotta Go campaign, have been calling on the city to install more public washrooms. Along with Somerset Coun. Catherine McKenney, they have identified the park as a good spot to try out a new loo.

There currently is no motion on the table to install public washrooms. McKenney asked the infrastructure department for best practices when it comes to the washrooms.

City staff have been researching public potties and have provided council with four options that range from a mobile outhouse to a self-cleaning washroom.

The outhouse option -- like the johnny-on-the-spots at festivals -- would cost $1,500 to rent annually and the city would want to surround part of it with a $1,000 screen to prevent vandalism.

A precast concrete washroom, which wouldn't be used in cold weather, would cost $125,000, while an all-season upgrade would cost $300,000-$350,000.

The luxury washroom, at a cost of $400,000, would have users drop in a coin or token and have 20 minutes of privacy before the door unlocked. When person leaves, the door locks and the entire interior is automatically spray washed and sanitized. The City of Toronto is installing 20 of these units over 20 years.

The operations, depending on the type of washroom installed, range from $5,000-$100,000.

"To facilitate a standalone public washroom in a pilot project, such as Dundonald Park, the location and design need to be carefully considered in regards to public safety and ongoing operation and maintenance," staff told McKenney a written response this week.

jon.willing@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @JonathanWilling