New Oceanfront public restrooms open in Virginia Beach
VIRGINIA BEACH — Traveling with young children isn’t always easy, but Nick and Monica Espinal of New Jersey, who visited the Virginia Beach Oceanfront Wednesday with their family, were pleasantly surprised at how smoothly the day was going.
They found parking on 20th Street, which happened to be the street where a new restroom facility recently opened next to the Boardwalk.
“It’s very convenient,” Monica Espinal said, carrying a sun-soaked toddler in her arms as she waited for her husband to emerge from the new building next to the public beach access area.
The open-air structure is narrow and open at both ends. It features five enclosed unisex stalls and a trough-style sink. It also has an outdoor shower pole and a foot wash.
The restroom is open from 6 a.m. until 12 a.m., and there’s an attendant on site.
For several years, the city has been trying to address the lack of public restrooms and changing facilities in the resort area by constructing new ones.
Four new enclosed shower stalls and changing facilities opened in 2021 on 2nd Street.
The 20th Street facility cost $650,000 to design and build. Staffing and custodial services will amount to about $500,000 a year, according to Emily Archer, city project development administrator for the Department of Economic Development.
“It’s much needed,” Archer said. “We think it’s pretty successful not taking up a lot of space but still providing amenities.”
Nick Espinal gave it a thumbs up.
“Out of 10, this gets a 20, and the beach, too,” he said.
Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com
