A group of residents have asked Horsham-based Toll Brothers to include a much-needed public bathroom in plans for its North Broad Street project in Philadelphia, writes Hannah Chinn for the Whyy.

The request was made by Sarah McEarney, president of the Callowhill Neighborhood Association, at a meeting of the city’s Civic Design Review held in response to Toll Brothers’ new development at 427-43 North Broad.

If the request to include toilets in the project’s public plaza is adopted, it would be the first corporate-owned public bathroom in the city.

Toll Brothers have plans to convert a surface parking lot just a half-block from the Rail Park into an 18-story tower complex. It would feature retail, office space and a tree-lined public space designed by Studio Bryan Hanes.

However, the developer is wary about adding a public bathroom to its plans due to the liability and costs that would be associated with keeping it clean and safe.

“On the issue of the public restroom, I think it’s a difficult one,” said the developer’s attorney Peter Kelsen.

Read more about Toll Brothers at the Whyy by clicking here.

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