Stossel: $2 Million Bathroom

John Stossel investigates a New York City park bathroom that cost $2 million to build.

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John Stossel investigates a New York City park bathroom that cost $2 million to build.

For that price you might expect gold-plated fixtures—but it's just a tiny building with four toilets and four 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.

Edited and produced by Joshua Swain.