Downtown Eastside public toilet at Main and Powell closed for repairs less than five months after opening

The Story

A public washroom at the intersection of Main and Powell Streets in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside has been closed unexpectedly for repairs, less than five months after it opened on June 8, 2026.

The kiosk, a Portland Loo freestanding public toilet, was installed by the Vancouver Park Board as part of a broader public amenities effort and was designed by the company to prevent problems commonly experienced with public toilets. Portland Loo says its products are designed with graffiti-proof wall panels and open grating, and were marketed as durable when two were installed in CRAB Park.

In the Downtown Eastside, residents reported the washroom had been in use shortly before it was shut down, with community member Nat Canuel saying someone had been living in the washroom for about a week before a sign appeared indicating it was closed for repairs.

The City of Vancouver manages the Portland Loo at Main and Powell and said the installation cost was $446,145, with annual maintenance estimated at about $95,000.

The City said it could not confirm whether the repair will be paid from the $95,000 annual maintenance budget or require additional funding. It said the repair is either for a lock part or for replacement of the lock system, adding that it does not anticipate the cost would be large and that it may fall within the current budget for annual maintenance or require some extra funding.

Officials said there are six Portland Loos in Vancouver, with five managed by the Park Board at two locations in CRAB Park, two in Columbia Park, and one in Coopers’ Park. The Main and Powell washroom is managed by the City of Vancouver.