Despite nearly $1 million in recent renovations, Laguna Beach’s historical but non-functioning crapper is still a mess.
Officially called a sewer “digester,” it is the city’s beloved outhouse saved by preservationists in 2020. A benefactor stepped forward to help contribute to the refurbishing, which allegedly included weatherproofing. Also, the decorative stairs and upper deck were going to be spruced up so that the Police Department could use it for storage.
Right now, the storage is visible from the parking lot and clearly includes Christmas ornaments in cheap plastic boxes.
For $1 million, they must be really nice ornaments.
The sewer digester is the most visible relic of Laguna’s old wastewater treatment plant. The problematic building is on the city’s historic register – because of course it is.
Laguna even loves its sewers.
During the fever-pitch public meetings to save it, people came out of the woodwork to retell old tales – with misty eyes and winsome nostalgia – about how the fecal cleaner changed their lives.
If it is so important, even now, then why is it already in shambles?
Why don’t the preservationists spend their weekends pampering it like a beloved, besotted baby?
Because people don’t really care about history. They care about the idea of history.
At most, the little tower that can’t should be incorporated into a new parking complex.
Put a little sign on it saying “historical” and people will feel better.
In the meantime, maybe it’s more prudent to stop spending $1 million on a lost cause and put it toward something useful.
Like a really cool Village Entrance that doesn’t have pitiful, dying trees and a marginal, neglected icon.
