After 40 Years, Seattle's Bush Hotel Getting Public Bathroom

SEATTLE, WA - After more than 40 years, a public restroom more will be built in the International District soon, according to a settlement reached between the city and the Seattle-Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (SCIDpda).

Under the agreement, the city will spend about $470,000 to build public bathrooms and other facilities inside the Bush Hotel, mainly for users of the adjacent Hing Hay Park.

The issue dates back to 1977, when the city sold the historic Bush Hotel to SCIDpda. Under the sale agreement, SCIDpda would turn the hotel into a community space and add affordable housing units. But SCIDpda disagreed over its obligation to build a public "comfort station" at the hotel. The two sides began negotiating a settlement in April 2017.

The city also plans to build just under 1,000 square-feet of public storage space inside and outside the hotel.

The city parks department will maintain the facilities, according to the settlement. The City Council unanimously approved the measure with no discussion on Monday.

Image courtesy Seattle Municipal Archives