Monitoring Back-to-School traffic around Palmer High School renovation in Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Palmer High School campus will be different for students this school year.

Remember back in March, the City Council denied School District 11's request to permanently close the block of Boulder Street between Nevada Avenue and Weber Street that split the campus in half.

But in late May, the council reversed its decision when two members changed their vote.

The temporary closure was to ensure that construction workers had enough space to store their equipment.

The permanent closure on Boulder allows D-11 to unite both halves of the campus.

We haven't been given any information about the specific changes students, faculty, and staff can expect as 9th graders return.

But D-11 said that the school community has been informed about where to park, and where school buses can drop off and pick up.

"Bus drop-off and parent drop-off will be happening on Nevada," said Jessica Wise, a district spokesperson. "So, there is a pull-out there. There is everything labeled for all our families. But that is a pretty significant switch. So, just know that you've got to stop on Nevada this time, forego Weber, and student parking is all the same." 

The first phase of construction for the $100 million renovation is scheduled to end in early spring of 2028.

It includes demolishing Palmer's current tech building and cafeteria to make room for new facilities, construction of a new academic wing, and other renovations.

D-11's goal is to modernize the school while preserving its history and creating a safer, walkable campus with expanded outdoor spaces and state-of-the-art learning facilities.

Because only freshmen were required to be on campus on Tuesday, it resulted in only limited traffic impacts; Wednesday may be the real test, when all students return.

The school gym, three blocks east on Wahsatch Avenue, was the location for freshmen to register, but many students were dropped off at Palmer and walked to the gym with friends or classmates.

Most of the street parking during the day, east of the school, is taken up by construction workers.

But we did see at least one temporary parking lot created for school staff.

D-11 said that starting Wednesday, the main entrance at the Nevada/Platte Avenue intersection will be the only way in and out for all students during construction.