Work in Progress

As of Wednesday, 1/24/24, with the heavy rain and forecasted rain next week, the construction team decided to not move forward with the 6000sqft of asphalt and soil sub base repair. Instead, Bothman will repair a small section  (less than 500 sqft) of severely damaged asphalt base with a cold patch asphalt product. 

The asphalt and 12” deep sub base repair is now scheduled to start on Monday, June 3^rd. The track resurfacing to follow as soon as the new asphalt has time to cure for 30 days. The Witter synthetic turf and track will need to be closed over  the summer to complete the work. The Witter Field House/weight rm, grass softball and hardball fields will remain open. The target reopening of the synthetic turf and track, after the summer work is complete, will be before the first day of school, Monday, 8/12.

By delaying the asphalt repair to summer we will be able to be 100% certain of opening the synthetic turf field the week  of 2/5. We can schedule the home soccer playoff games on Wed 2/7 and Thursday 2/8. 

We can also open the track for PHS/PMS track practices and to the public (track will not have surfacing or lane striping but it will be safe to run on but not compete on. PHS track will be able to throw shot put and discus on Witter.  PHS track will not be able to pole vault, long jump or high jump on Witter.

We can also open the turf field for the start of LAX season. 

Bothman will remove their office trailer and all temporary fencing so we can open the bleachers and the Witter parking lot the week of 2/5. This also includes the temp fencing and gates on the Wildwood Elementary lower playground.

The Field Turf crew is finishing the turf infill and will remove all turf related equipment before the end of the week.

Tasks Needing Completion Prior to Opening the Turf Field

• Install x2 pole vault pit boxes
• Install LAX posts and nets
• Install x2 football goal posts
• Finish installing/wiring/testing the x3 scoreboards
• Finish g-max testing of the new turf/infill (https://g-max-testing.com)
• Remove all temp fencing, top of bleaches and Wildwood lower playground
• Remove contractor's portable office/materials and open the Witter parking lot

Parking Updates

Palm, Park View, Winsor - Parking restrictions will remain in place at least through Friday, 2/2.  The contractor will inform us when the restrictions can be lifted.

El Cerrito - Parking restrictions will need to be in place next Wed, 1/31, so Bothman can remove their office portable  from the Witter parking lot. Bothman will post no parking signs on El Cerrito Tue afternoon, 1/30, and remove them as  soon as the portable office has been transported off site.

Parking restrictions will remain lifted on Palm, Winsor, Park View and El Cerrito starting Monday, 2/5. No parking  restrictions will be needed through the end of the school year, May 31^st. Parking restrictions will be held to a minimum  during the summer work starting Monday, 6/3. 

As a reminder, parking restrictions have been needed to assure emergency vehicle egress during construction hours. This is per the City of Piedmont Fire Department request.

Winsor Driveway Gate Closure
The pedestrian access gate on the Winsor Avenue driveway, which many residents use to access the Piedmont Park off-leash dog area, will be closed for your safety during working hours Monday-Friday from 7:30am to 4pm.  The gate will be locked and chained during those periods.  Please respect this closure since construction activity on the driveway could pose a safety hazard to pedestrians and dogs.

We will keep the gate open for pedestrian access to the off-leash dog area outside of working hours and on weekends.  Please email Pete Palmer if the gate is chained outside of designated working hours.

Drainage Calculations
A 54 page City approved encroachment permit and Verde storm water report was issued on 8/25/23. 

Per the City’s request, PUSD has reduced the peak flow rate for the Witter Field area by approximately 20%, largely by detaining the water from storm events in the subsurface piping and rock drainage profile.

The District remains committed to providing regular updates to the community regarding the Witter Field renovation.  We understand that construction is inconvenient, and disruptive and appreciate your continued patience, understanding, and cooperation as we complete this important project.

Click here to see the full slideshow of the Witter Field Renovation project.

Click here to see Pete Palmer's full project update.