The Squeaky Wheel


THE SQUEAKY WHEEL- Pavilion creep: Speak up about Mall takeover Published on May 24th, 2007 0 comments Is the Pavilion creeping too far?PHOTO BY PETER KLEEMAN Every year, as more vendor spaces, café areas, vehicle crossings, and movable signs appear, pedestrian space on the Downtown Mall has...
THE SQUEAKY WHEEL- Tied up: city vehicles get 23 parking spots Published on May 10th, 2007 0 comments PHOTO BY PETER KLEEMAN Many visitors to Charlottesville find it hard to park near the Downtown Mall. Although there are often street spaces open, some are reserved for exclusive use of judges,...
THE SQUEAKY WHEEL- Mall maneuvers: Obstacles jeopardize blind walkers' safety Published on Apr 26th, 2007 0 comments Charlottesville's downtown pedestrian mall is "one of the finest urban parks in the country" – according to the city's website. But the fact is, it's becoming less pedestrian-friendly and park...
THE SQUEAKY WHEEL- Trashy Rivanna: Who's responsible for river trash? Published on Apr 12th, 2007 3 comments As they enter Charlottesville or travel the Rivanna Trail, thousands of motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians get a clear view of a trash heap at the base of the retaining wall visible from Free...
THE SQUEAKY WHEEL- Sign language: What happens when one's missing? Published on Mar 29th, 2007 0 comments Show me a sign An alert Hook reader contacted me about no street signs in the recently constructed Poplar Glen neighborhood off Ivy Road in Albemarle County. ''How can my friends find me?"' was one...
THE SQUEAKY WHEEL- Click a repair: How to fix a sidewalk via laptop Published on Mar 15th, 2007 0 comments Many of the issues explored in the Squeaky Wheel require a saw, wrench, backhoe, or other tool to fix, but in Charlottesville you can now fix a sidewalk with a laptop computer. I recently reported a...
THE SQUEAKY WHEEL- Look out below: Icy walks make hard landings Published on Mar 1st, 2007 0 comments Like skydiving without a parachute, walking in Charlottesville after an ice or snowstorm is a treacherous undertaking. Unshoveled sidewalks, crosswalks, and other walkways are often rough and...
THE SQUEAKY WHEEL- Missing Mall music: Please just jiggle the handle Published on Feb 15th, 2007 0 comments Sometimes all it takes to solve a water flow problem is to jiggle a handle. Getting the Downtown Mall fountains working again wasn′t quite that simple. All four Mall fountains have been dry...
THE SQUEAKY WHEEL- Watch your step! Snow may hide trip hazard Published on Feb 1st, 2007 0 comments As part of a larger report on city facilities and infrastructure, at a recent City Council meeting Director of Public Works Judith Mueller noted the many tripping hazards on city pathways. Aging...
THE SQUEAKY WHEEL- Watch your step! Snow may hide trip hazard Published on Jan 25th, 2007 0 comments As part of a larger report on city facilities and infrastructure, at a recent City Council meeting Director of Public Works Judith Mueller noted the many tripping hazards on city pathways. Aging...
THE SQUEAKY WHEEL- Walk block: You can't get there from here Published on Jan 11th, 2007 0 comments The Problem: Charlottesville is a walkable community, but barriers to safe and convenient pedestrian movement abound. One obvious barrier is the green plywood barricade in front of the Juvenile and...