Estimates for the two additional classrooms at the Pell Elementary School came back back significantly higher than initially thought, Jim Farrar of Farrar & Associates 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.