Restroom renovation taking longer than expected at Highland Park senior center

HIGHLAND PARKS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A project to renovate bathrooms at a senior center in Highland Park is taking longer than expected, causing seniors to use porta-potties or cross busy streets to use toilets with running water.

The elderly at the Highland Park Adult Senior Citizen Center knew they'd have to use porta-potties temporarily, but it's now been more than two and a half months.

The project was undertaken with funds from the American with Disabilities Act as the city wanted to improve senior access to restrooms.

But seniors said it is actually creating a potential hazard for them in the meantime.

"I come, and I don't stay very long," Pauline Fierro said.

Bill Evans, a Korean War veteran who uses a cane, had a close call at the outhouse.

"I opened the door, and it hit me and knocked me back in," Evans said. "I'm scared of falling; I just had surgery last year."

The tile work in the bathrooms appear to be completed, but there were no fixtures or workers in sight. The project will be exactly one month overdue this week.

Rose Watson, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, said the project has now been rescheduled to be complete by next week.