Hotmail
Seattle selling five troublesome toilets on eBay
$5 million test in self-cleaning units deemed failure; bids start at $89,000
 | This is one of five self-cleaning toilet stalls placed on eBay by the city of Seattle. |
Bigadoo, Inc. |
Get weird & wonderful news on Twitter |
 | Looking for more strange and fun stories and oddball videos? Follow @msnbc_wow. |
 | Video: Weird news |
 Wild turkey attacks officer's car Nov. 16: A wild turkey seems to be attracted to cars and flashing lights, and it's not even mating season. WRC's Jim Handly reports. |
 | Slideshow |
 | Guinness World Records See the biggest rubber band ball, oldest bungee jumper, longest ear hair and much more. more photos |
 | Discuss odd news on Newsvine |
SEATTLE - 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.
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.
- Discuss Story On Newsvine
-
Rate Story:
View popularLowHigh - Instant Message
MORE FROM WEIRD NEWS |
 Weird news Section Front |
| Add Weird news headlines to your news reader: |
Boost your career with an online Degree. Pick from Leading Colleges!
www.EarnMyDegree.com
Sponsored links
Resource guide