Comments on: S. Main Street

By: George Hammond

George Hammond — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:15:50 +0000

I walked by this spot today, the snow has been totally removed; there’s no sign of it at all.

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:37:54 +0000

This is a problem for pedestrians of normal abilities as well. The pedestrian ramps (better term than curb cuts, I think) get blocked by snowplows which leave a big mound of snow right at the gutter. Problem is, it’s no one’s job to clear that by hand, which is what it would take. Think of the logistics citywide to do that for each pedestrian ramp where snowplows operate.

That doesn’t mean I don’t think it should be addressed. In the BIZ area, they have independent contractors who could do it. But elsewhere, we need storeowners, campus maintenance, or homeowners to “adopt a ramp”.

Not that it has been such an issue this year.

By: Glacial Erratic

Glacial Erratic — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:37:17 +0000

I want to underline Donna’s comment. Last year, I knew a UM student who uses a wheelchair who was unable to cross the street from her housing to her classes because of the curb cut situation on bad snow days—she could get to within sight of her classroom buildings but end up having to turn around and go home.

By: Donna Estabrook

Donna Estabrook — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:32:57 +0000

Just as important as handicap parking spaces are the curb cuts. People in wheelchairs can really be stuck if the curb cuts are not cleared of snow. I believe this is the responsibility of the owners (tenants?) of the buildings on the street corners. In any case it has never been very well enforced. I have sometimes spoken to whoever was working in the store at the time – with mixed results. If the snow melts to slush and then freezes it is very difficult to clear it away. I must say that the city itself is an offender – the parking lot on the corner of Main and Anne, for instance. (At least I think that it is city property.) In contrast, curb cuts at the county buildings always seem to be kept clear of snow. The reason I notice all this is that my daughter uses a wheelchair.

By: Sabra Briere

Sabra Briere — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 22:37:33 +0000

@2: I’ve contacted the Main Street BIZ folks about the snow. Even with warming tempuratures and rain forecast, no one wants the handicap parking blocked. This should be fixed quickly.

By: anna ercoli schnitzer

anna ercoli schnitzer — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 22:22:51 +0000

Dave: Glad to know that. Tried to phone City (Community Standards) to inquire, but couldn’t reach anyone on a Saturday afternoon.

By: Dave Askins

Dave Askins — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 21:53:09 +0000

I don't think the pile of snow will be there until March. Based what I observed last year, the Main Street Business Improvement Zone's contractor will use dump trucks and front loaders to remove the piles. But for folks who rely on the handicapped parking spaces being available, I'm sure that factoid does not help.