As our more devoted readers might remember, I'm a big fan of the Portland Loo—the 24-hour public toilets (patented by Portland!) that Commissioner Randy Leonard wants to plop into better-trafficked areas downtown and the East Side.

So today's post brings some good news.

According to Leonard's office, as first announced on their blog, work began today on what will become Portland's fourth loo, over in Jamison Square at NW 11th and Johnson. Anna DiBenedetto, the Leonard staffer playing point on the loo program, says crews are beginning utility work at the site, with January the target for its grand opening.

And, meanwhile, the city's third loo, over at SW Naito and Ash, will start flushing in just more than two weeks, November 19. That also is, apparently, World Toilet Day (a day that's actually more about solving a sanitation crisis in the Third World than helping the plight of well-heeled visitors to Portland.)

The loos have drawn their share of controversy, particularly the one planned for the Pearl. But I suspect NIMBYs will see the light the next time nature calls and they're locked out of their condo, fumbling for the keys, dancing like a spaz and, well...