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WAVELAND, Miss. — Waveland is the only coastal Mississippi town without beachside bathrooms, but not for long.

Under construction in beautiful Waveland is an elaborate, 70-foot tall lighthouse that will serve multiple roles, including replacing those unsightly port-o-lets that beach-goers use now.

“Waveland beach is the prettiest part of the beach, to me, along the whole coast … I guess I can say that as mayor, but bathrooms are a necessity at this point,” Waveland Mayor Mike Smith says.

The lighthouse will offer beach showers downstairs, an elevator, plenty of parking, and a walkway so wheelchair-bound people can put their feet in the water. The best feature of all, Mayor Smith says, is the multicolored LED lighting up top to change colors with the holidays — or to herald in news of the incoming commodes.

The lighthouse should open by October, but Mayor Smith is hoping for August.