On Thursday, July 10, the Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) and Throne Labs hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Cadillac Square to introduce temporary, smart public restrooms. A ceremonial toilet paper ribbon cutting opened two units available to the public through mid-August.
This pilot aligns with DDP’s efforts to enhance the visitor experience in Downtown Detroit parks and public spaces. As stewards of these public areas, DDP is committed to ensuring they are welcoming, inclusive, and accessible for all. The Throne restrooms will offer thoughtful, inclusive amenities that support the everyday needs of residents, workers, and visitors.
Data-Driven Innovation
This test is a chance to explore new solutions to a long-standing urban challenge: clean, safe, and accessible public restrooms. Cadillac Square, a central gathering space that hosts community programs from food truck festivals to concerts, provides an ideal location for this pilot. The DDP is approaching this pilot with curiosity and a commitment to improvement as it is designed to generate real-world data and feedback to help evaluate how these types of amenities might serve Downtown Detroit in the long term.
Why DDP Partnered with Throne Labs
Throne Labs’ restrooms are designed to combine comfort, cleanliness, and efficiency in a compact format. Each unit includes:
- Flushing toilets and running-water sinks
- Baby changing stations
- Free menstrual products
- ADA-accessible entry
- Sensors that monitor usage and cleanliness
Visitors are encouraged to experience these smart and stylish bathrooms while they are in Downtown Detroit. To learn more about the Downtown Detroit Partnership, visit DowntownDetroit.org.
