Low building costs are economy's silver lining

Construction costs for Cabarrus County's two newest schools are well under budget, but the savings are unlikely to translate into more money for the schools.

Cox Mill High School, scheduled to open in August, is more than $5million under budget. The new Hickory Ridge Middle School, planned to open in 2010, is already more than $500,000 under its projected cost.

Sam Masters, construction director for the Cabarrus County Schools, said building conditions are unlike any he has seen in 20 years in the business.

“For the county and taxpayers, it is an excellent time to build,” Masters said. “They will get great value for what they get.”

The county paid less than $400,000 to grade the land for Hickory Ridge Middle. It originally budgeted more than $900,000. Masters said the county had more than 20 bidders for that project. Most projects have fewer than 10.

But the favorable conditions won't move up construction of more schools, he said. The school system has five major projects coming up, but bids for those projects are not expected until March or April.

“We would like to, but we get our funding through the county,” Masters said. “It is not like a general bond. If we don't spend it, that doesn't necessarily mean we'll have it.”

The school system must wait for the county to allocate more money for building. And, with the economic downturn, any savings from building costs could be used for other needs.

“That money should go back to the taxpayers,” Cabarrus County commissioner Coy Privette said. “Rather than saving money to spend money, we ought to relieve some of the tax burden.”

Two new elementary schools are scheduled to open in 2010, but grading has not begun on those sites. Classroom additions for Furr Elementary and Boger Elementary also are planned, along with a new northwestern middle school.

Even if the county doesn't add school money, Masters said, he doesn't expect the county to miss out on savings. He is confident building costs will not jump up for a long time.

“The bids are coming in so cheap right now,” he said. “Residential and commercial business have really slowed down, so government building is the only steady business. Companies are just willing to meet their expenses and get what they need to keep people employed.”

By Kevin Cary
kcary@charlotteobserver.com