In an email to residents also shared with the school community on Dec. 19, PUSD’s Director of Facilities Pete Palmer gave an update on Witter Field renovations and parking restrictions in the area. The new completion date of Monday, Feb. 5, 2024 (weather dependent) remains in place, he said, but PHS spring athletics teams (track and field and lacrosse) have been advised to develop contingency plans in case the project is delayed again.
The field turf crew at work 
ADA-required bleacher handrails
From the email:
Work in Progress
Bothman has completed all D-ring and track paving operations. This is a huge milestone for the project. The Field Turf crew continues to prep the field for the start of the drain mat and turf material installation. Bothman continues to install the LAX net sleeve posts. The ADA required bleacher handrail work continues.
The completion date remains Monday 2/5/24. The completion date is weather dependent. We will immediately inform the community if/when the completion date is delayed.
Clarifications:
1. The track resurfacing work starting on approximately 1/11/24 will need dry weather for the material to adhere to the asphalt. If inclement weather occurs during the track resurfacing process, it will delay the opening date.
2. Out of an abundance of caution, both PHS track and LAX programs should plan on using alternate venues through the end of their seasons. As soon as Witter Field receives a certificate of occupancy/final from the DSA (Division of State Architecture) Inspector of Record, the Witter complex will open and the track and LAX programs can return. The DSA Inspector has stated the synthetic turf field can’t be used until the project is 100% complete, there are no exceptions.
3. Graduation on Witter will occur as it typically does in June.
Parking Restrictions
Parking restrictions were lifted on Palm, Park View and Winsor starting 12/15, at the end of the work day. All no parking signs will be removed. Bothman will inform when parking restrictions will be needed again on a weekly basis.
Parking restrictions on El Cerrito remain lifted until further notice.
Winsor driveway gate closure
For your safety, 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 during working hours: Monday-Friday from 7:30am to 4pm. The gate will be locked and chained during these periods. Please respect this closure, as 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 me if you find the gate chained outside of designated working hours.
Drainage Calculations
A 54 pg City approved encroachment permit and Verde Stormwater report was issued on dated 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 in storm events in the subsurface piping and rock drainage profile.
All updates will continue to be posted on the PUSD website at https://www.piedmont.k12.ca.us/ref/facilities/witter-field-renovation.