Additional Pell Classrooms Estimated at $525,000

Estimates for the two additional classrooms at the Pell Elementary School came back back significantly higher than initially thought, Jim Farrar of said at last Tuesday's Pell Building Committee meeting.

The additional rooms approved at an estimated cost of $350,000 came back from general contractor Bacon/Agostini around $560,000, Farrar said. The cost now is down to $525,000.

The design calls for more brick, which is included in the cost estimate. The brick, which is being made specifically for the project, will add approximately $46,000 in costs.

Despite the higher estimate, Farrar said the numbers are “not a bad place to be,” since the contingency on the project still stands at $1.2 million after the room and brick expenses.

“However, we have a long way to go,” he said.

The building committee was also briefed on project updates. Highlights included:

• 95-98 percent of arsenic has been removed on site. 
• The committee voted to not approve the exterior component of sun screens, saving $140,000. Both interior and exterior components would have cost $193,000.
• Farrar is predicting 44 percent state reimbursement on the project.