Board approves retaining wall and site work for Houston High softball field; project uses long-term facilities funds

The Houston Public School District board approved construction of a retaining wall and related site work at Houston High School's softball field to improve drainage, clean up an area formerly used for a basketball court and create passive seating.

Facilities staff presented plans to raise the area behind the field, install retaining wall blocks to create seating, and reuse material from the baseball field to create a base for batting cages where the old basketball court sits. Staff said the project will improve drainage and tidiness in the area.

The project bid exceeded what facilities staff could approve administratively and was a few thousand dollars higher than the staff approval limit; the project cost cited in the meeting was $2,022,000. Board members asked about warranties and were told the district would obtain standard construction assurances and that long-term facility-maintenance funds would be used to pay for the work.

A motion to approve the retaining wall and related site work passed in open session. Staff said they will proceed with procurement consistent with district policy and funding rules.