Little High Neighborhood Association

Information for and about the Little High Neighborhood in Charlottesville, VA

Major Waterline Project on Meriwether and on 12th Street

Project map of waterline replacement project along Meriwether Street and 12TH Street NE

We found out just a couple of days ago about a major public utilities project scheduled to begin “on or before February 8.” The text below is taken from an email from city utilities engineer Roy Nester to someone in the Martha Jefferson neighborhood dated Jan. 27, 2023. It has edited only to remove mistaken references to the Martha Jefferson neighborhood and to reflect the change from email to web post:

As part of our waterline replacement program, the City is about to begin a waterline replacement project along Meriwether Street and 12TH Street NE. This project will extend along from Meriwether from 13th Street NE to the dead end.  The project will also extend along 12th Street NE from Meriwether to E Jefferson Street. The new line 8-inch ductile iron line will replace an existing 2 inch galvanized waterline and 6-inch cast iron water line that are each at least 70 years old and will result in a more reliable water system.  There will also be infrequent water outages for the project.  Any residents impacted by a planned water outage will be provided 48 hour notice by way of door hanger.

During this project there will also be temporary changes to parking, traffic, and road closures.  All road closures will have detours set-up to direct traffic around the closure area.

Linco Inc., will be the contractor on this project.  The contractor will soon be mobilizing to the site and is set to begin construction on or before February 8, 2023.  The project is scheduled to take approximately 6 months to complete.  A project inspector will be provided by our consultant, WR&A.  I will be the project manager for the City.  All concerns and inquiries about the project should be directed to me for best response. My direct contact information is below. The Department of Utilities emergency dispatch is also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 434-970-3800.

Regards,

Roy K. Nester, P.E.
nesterr@charlottesville.gov
Utilities Engineer
City of Charlottesville
305 4th St NW
Charlottesville, VA 22903
P 434-970-3908

Upcoming Refuse and Recycling Days

There are several opportunities to get rid of your electronic, hazardous, and bulky waste for FREE.

Bulky Waste Amnesty Days

Amnesty Days are free and available only to residents of Albemarle County, the City of Charlottesville and the Town of Scottsville.

The next special collection will be held at the Ivy Material Utilization Center on the dates below from 8:30am to 4:00pm:

  • October 1 – Furniture and mattresses
  • October 8 – Household appliances – refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, stoves, furnaces, water heaters, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, heat pumps, microwaves, and toasters only
  • October 15 – Tires – No oversized tires

Normal tipping fees will be charged to residents for all non-amnesty items brought on these days. Also, please note the Ivy facility will accept all above items during normal operation. Contact RSWA (434-295-3306) regarding tipping fees for the above items. [Read more…]

Persistently elevated bacteria levels found in Meade Creek and other local waterways

According to a city press release from August 29, 2022, people should avoid direct contact with the water in Meade Creek until further notice. Meade Creek is the meandering stream that cuts through Meade Park in which children frequently play.

Until further notice, everyone should avoid direct contact with this and other local streams (a full list of Charlottesville’s contaminated waterways can be found in the city’s press release). The city has posted signs warning people not to come into contact with the water but these signs have not always been well-designed to convey this simple message or to catch the public’s attention.

The results of recent and past RCA bacteria monitoring for Meade Creek and other Charlottesville streams can be accessed here: https://www.rivannariver.org/bacteria/

Safe Routes to School

More Students Walking – Let’s Be Safe!

The local K-12 public school year begins Wednesday, August 24 and this year is going to be a little different: due to the bus driver shortage, there will be about 800 more kids walking and biking to school this year and this is particularly risky because Charlottesville City government has long given low priority to basic infrastructure needs like good sidewalks and bike lanes.

What you can do

  • Please be extra careful and patient while driving.
  • Consider applying to be a crossing guard, perhaps at an intersection near you! Charlottesville City Schools are open to having “intersection partners” or small teams that share responsibilities for morning and afternoon. Apply now to be a regular or substitute crossing guard!
  • Individual schools may post temporary “way-finding” signs (the size of real estate signs) to make sure kids feel confident that they are on the right path as they walk to school. Most signs will be on City rights-of-way, but in some cases, City representatives may knock on doors to get permission to post these temporary signs on private property.

See the Charlottesville City Schools website for more information.

 

Charlottesville’s Climate Action Plan — community input opportunity

As part of the City of Charlottesville’s climate planning effort, the office of Public Works will be hosting  a virtual Community greenhouse gas (GHG) Reduction Town Hall Community Workshop on Wednesday, August 17, 6pm – 8pm. During this event, the City of Charlottesville encourages all community members to provide input on developing the city’s potential GHG reduction priorities.

Register for the Town Hall Community Workshop at the link below:

Wednesday, August 17, 6 pm-8 pm

(https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAud-iqqD8vHNe3nkoenflDVf_ycZCkfRRN)

More information about Charlottesville government’s efforts on environmental sustainability can be found on the City’s Climate Action Planning page.

 

New Dominion Bookshop

New Dominion Bookshop, Charlottesville, Va

New Dominion Bookshop is an independent bookshop located on the Charlottesville Downtown Mall at 404 East Main St. We are an all-new bookstore, and we host events featuring renowned authors and local writers. To place a book order, to receive personalized book recommendations, or to purchase a gift card, please visit our contact page to speak with our staff.

 

Carpe Donut

Carpe DonutCarpe Donut is a locally owned and operated maker of exquisite organic donuts since 2007.  The only ingredients in our donuts are: organic flour, organic eggs, organic apple cider, organic spices, pure organic sugar, and non-aluminated baking powder. We cook all our donuts in 100% pure soybean oil. No hydrogenation, no trans-fats, no shortening. Continue…