Using the bathroom could soon be tough to do in a number of popular public spaces in San Diego. Mayor Todd Gloria’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2027 would close 38 public bathrooms to save $3 million. “That’s pathetic,” said one man walking his grandson at Shoreline Beach. Accordin g to the City of San Diego’s Independent Budget Analysis Report: Closing 13 of the 28 bathrooms in Mission Bay Park would help save $547,000. Closing 7 of the 14 portables on Fiesta Island would help save $18,000. All five bathrooms on Shoreline Beach, except the ones near the Children’s Pool in La Jolla, would also shutter. And the plan to close some comfort stations in Balboa Park and bathrooms in downtown San Diego would help the city save more than $1.5 million. As a realtor who works and walks in downtown, Patty Doyle has smelled and seen some things. “Closing the bathrooms is not going to help” Doyle said. “We have to buy a power wash machine and clean up the mess that somebody else has left behind, it’s getting ugly.” She worries the bathroom closures could lead to a repeat of the 2017 hepatitis A outbreak that sickened hundreds and killed 20 people. “Shelter-less people were using the sidewalks as toilets,” Doyle said. “So people were walking through that, taking it home. I mean, it’s terrible.” Back in 2021, following a shigella outbreak, Gloria promised a toilet within a five-minute walk anywhere downtown, according to a report in the Voice of San Diego. A 2023 grand jury report also urged the city to expand bathroom access in and around downtown. A downtown resident says he does not mind paying extra taxes as long as there are public facilities. “It makes sense for us to get together and find a way to fund these things. Where we can maybe pay a tax, an extra tax to keep these things going,” said Joao Brantua. “Our problem is we’re getting charged more, and receiving less,” Doyle said about losing access to a restroom in public spaces. “You bring your family to the park, you bring your family to the beach. What are you gonna do? Have them use the water?” NBC 7 reached out to the mayor’s office for comment and is waiting to hear back. A final budget has to be approved by June 15th. This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser. ...read more read less