With few public restrooms, downtown Louisville faces waste issue
A new investigation highlights a growing public health and human dignity issue in downtown Louisville: the lack of accessible restrooms. Since 2021, the Louisville Downtown Partnership has cleaned more than 3,380 instances of biohazardous waste — most often human and animal waste left in alleys, sidewalks, and green spaces. In just the first half of 2025, nearly 1,000 incidents were reported, reflecting both the city’s rising homelessness crisis and the absence of basic public amenities.
Currently, restroom access is limited to a handful of sites like the public library, local shelters, and churches such as the Cathedral of the Assumption. But after dark, options disappear entirely. While advocates, faith leaders, and public health experts argue that public facilities are essential, city officials cite costs, liability, and maintenance concerns.
L.O.U. Executive Director David Smillie emphasizes that without restrooms, showers, and hygiene facilities, Louisville will continue to face sanitation issues downtown. “Homelessness isn’t going away because you cut off the water supply,” he said.
