$2 Million Bathroom

John Stossel investigates a New York City park bathroom that cost $2 million to build.
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For that price you might expect gold-plated fixtures-but it's just a tiny building with four toilets and two sinks.
New York City Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver says $2 million was a good deal because "New York City is the most expensive place to build."
He estimates that future bathrooms will cost more than $3 million.
Commissioner Silver argues that this park, on the outskirts of Brooklyn, will get so much use that it must be built to last, and that can be expensive.
Yet privately managed Bryant Park, in the middle of Manhattan, gets much more use and its recent bathroom renovation cost just $271,000.
Since government spends other people's money, it doesn't need to worry about cost or speed. Every decision is bogged down by time-wasting "public engagement," inflated union wages, and productivity-killing work rules.
Two million dollars for a bathroom. That's your government at work.

[@liadam2146]

The biggest and the realist problem is that the dude doesn't think at all it's a problem to spend 2 million and 3.5 years to build a bathroom.

[@-Galavanta-]

And he's not even embarrassed about the cost, in fact he's proud... in the private sector this guy would be fired in a heartbeat.

[@haydenbrayton]

“These are very durable materials”.... last time I checked brick wasn’t the price of gold. What a joke.

[@837301]

“Why does it cost 2 million to build a bathroom?”

[@MARedleg]

And this folks is why we are 20 trillion dollars in the hole

[@Obamaistoast2012]

Thank you Mr Stossel for exposing government waste.

[@feelthesun]

the parks commissioner is a king of jumping around questions and no admittance to fault

[@user-ep8cl3zt7n]

I mean, I’ve heard of money down the toilet, but this takes the urinal cake.

[@taz069]

Best of all... the bathroom looks like shit...

[@agentp6621]

I'm in the national guard and every army facility I've been to barracks and armory and hangar latrines are handicapped equipped... We are supposed to be able-bodied personnel. We're the only people who use them. If they aren't able-bodied then they aren't fit for duty.

[@camerongray7767]

Local tradie and his mates could build this for 30k in 2 weeks here in australia

[@jamesford2942]

There needs to be cost transparency so everyone can see where their hard earned cash is being wasted, siphoned off, stolen, etc.

[@jakebarnier5188]

2:50

[@Noahuhhh]

That parks official seems to actually believe they’re doing a good job

[@danieldawson222]

As a licensed plumbing contractor

[@clashmasterx3253]

I love how he’s proud of taking 3 years to build a bathroom

[@Michael-dn9uz]

As a contractor my only question is Where do I sign up for this kind of project?

[@buffaloaf8205]

The empire State building was built in 1930 and took 1.1 years in the great depression when it took them to build a 6 year old's Minecraft house in 7 years

[@JONTHEWHEREHOG]

We all know part of that money is going in that guys pocket. Thats why he makes all of those excuses

[@BobbyMack]

I LOVE how dumbfounded the people are when they find out how much it costs. Stossel is the best.