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Seattle Auctioning Off Troubled Toilets

AP
posted: 44 DAYS AGO
comments: 90
filed under: National News, Weird News
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SEATTLE (July 17) - Seattle's five problem-plagued public toilets could be yours if you're flush.
City officials decided to pull the plug on the multimillion-dollar self-cleaning toilet stalls and instead put them on the auction site eBay.
Starting bids are $89,000 apiece.
Street performer in front of malfunctioning toilet doors
Alan Berner, Seattle Times

Seattle's self-cleaning public toilets have cost the city over $5 million dollars and are often malfunctioning.

Neighbors and city-commissioned analysts said the unisex facilities attracted drug users and prostitutes, and were less cost-effective than regular public restrooms.
On May 19, the City Council voted to remove the problem toilets. Council President Richard Conlin said although people were using the high-tech, self-cleaning silver stalls, they also fostered illegal behavior, such as prostitution and drug use.
The German-made automatic, high-tech toilets were installed in 2004 and have cost the city about $5 million. Each has handsfree washing and drying ability and an emergency button that automatically dials 911.
The automated doors on the impact- and graffiti-resistant toilets will close Aug. 1, said Andy Ryan, a spokesman for Seattle Public Utilities. The auction will last for 10 days.
As of Thursday morning, none of the toilets had received any bids.

Amazing Auctions

billionaire Warren BuffettSaul Loeb, AFP / Getty Images

Zhao Danyang, a Hong Kong-based investment fund manager, won the right to dine with billionaire Warren Buffett by placing the winning bid of $2.1 million in a June 28 charity auction hosted by eBay. Proceeds from the auction will benefit Glide, which provides social services to the poor and homeless in San Francisco. Click through the gallery to see other big auction sales.

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2008-07-17 09:45:59
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WitchAmongstUs

12:09 PMJul 21 2008

RJOLLY21 06:25 PMJul 20 2008 Another example of goverment wasting your tax dollars!! When are you people going to put a stop to this or are you truly stupid like the polotitions think you are?......we'll put a stop to it when you learn to spell politician!

AVG RATING:
(0)

RJOLLY21

06:25 PMJul 20 2008

Another example of goverment wasting your tax dollars!! When are you people going to put a stop to this or are you truly stupid like the polotitions think you are?

AVG RATING:
(0)

Daedalus6x

02:14 PMJul 20 2008

Hookers and junkies aren't noted for their personal hygine. Providing them with self cleaning toilets probably isn't such a bad idea. Wonder if they have sharps containers for used needles?

AVG RATING:
(0)

Berrymountain

02:36 PMJul 18 2008

I just moved my daughter to Seattle. I know there is crime everywhere, but really...these toilets attracted prostitutes and drug addicts. Tell me "who" would want to use a toilet frequented by this stuff. DISGUSTING

AVG RATING:
(1)

Aldevar

09:38 AMJul 18 2008

$89,000.00 FOR A TOILET THAT BREAKS DOWN ALL THE TIME. I BET THEY'RE KNOCKING THE DOORS DOWN TO GET ONE OF THOSE.....LOL.

AVG RATING:
(1)

LumiBeans

10:56 PMJul 18 2008

do these come w CRABS????

AVG RATING:
(1)

JohnEBare

07:38 PMJul 17 2008

As I recall, the city of New York provided these types of toilets years ago with similar results. Here's a thought, leave the toilets and get rid of the drug dealers na prostitutes..duh!

AVG RATING:
(2)

RHCPU2

07:12 PMJul 17 2008

so they think if they get rid of these tolits and install other one the drugs and prostitutes will go away i dont think so

AVG RATING:
(2)

buyasafe2

07:09 PMJul 17 2008

If Seattle doesn't want a malfunctioning toilet, why would anyone else and especially for $89,000? No doubt they must have also purchased many thousands of toilet seat covers. I recommend that they contact Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and Howard Dean for puchasing them to be used at the next DNC event as campaign hats.

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(1)

MKN84

07:02 PMJul 17 2008

I wonder if poop futures are like oil futures. It might not be a bad idea to invest in toilets.

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(0)

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