Officials discuss possible feasibility study for permanent bathrooms at Manitou Incline

MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Feasibility studies for permanent bathrooms at Manitou Incline could begin soon.

This comes after the project was announced 14 years ago in an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA). According to officials, Manitou and Colorado Springs installed portable bathrooms with the intention of having permanent bathrooms at the base of the incline.

Manitou Mayor Natalie Johnson says the project could still face some challenges.

"Logistics, we are talking about the incline that is within a canyon. There are thousands of people going up that canyon daily and so things like access to sewer lines and access to water," Johnson said.

Johnson says the task is expensive, but worth the cost.

"This is not an inexpensive ask, but I do believe it is a very necessary one," she said.

The feasibility study will evaluate four possible locations and take about 10-12 weeks after a contract is executed. The Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Service Department confirmed it is preparing to move forward with the study:

"Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services is preparing to move forward with a feasibility study to evaluate trailhead development, including the potential of a permanent restroom facility at the base of the Manitou Incline. A permanent restroom was identified as a future improvement in the jointly approved Manitou Incline Site Development and Management Plan and is also contemplated in the intergovernmental agreement between Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs.

No contract has been signed, and no decision has been made to construct a facility. The feasibility study would evaluate potential locations, site constraints, cost and what type of facility may be possible. It would also help identify any additional coordination, approvals and funding needed before a project could move forward. PRCS expects to begin that work in the coming months. The City currently anticipates using donations made to support the Manitou Incline to fund the study.

The City currently provides six portable restrooms at the base of the Incline, serviced Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, at an annual cost of $28,535. The IGA assigns responsibility for providing and maintaining the temporary restrooms to Colorado Springs."

The City of Manitou Springs will be talking more about this during their city council meeting Tuesday at 6 p.m. For more information, visit the city agenda website.

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