NORMAL - A problem with the footings in the early construction stages of the Marriott Hotel is costing the town an additional $1 million and developer John Q. Hammons more than $2 million.

A request to allocate bond money for the town's share will be considered by the City Council at its meeting at 7 p.m. Monday in the council chambers of Normal City Hall, 100 E. Phoenix Ave.

The council also will consider increasing admission to the Children's Discovery Museum, raising the greens fees at Ironwood Golf Course, and a plan for a two-story addition on Sugar Creek Elementary School.

The additional cost for the footing work is not unexpected. Uptown Development Director Wayne Aldrich previously estimated the work would cost an additional $808,414. That amount already is in the budget.

There also is $182,997 in an unused contingency fund for site demolition that can be put toward the project, requiring only a $41,961 budget adjustment. Aldrich said the money would come from bond funds.

The concrete support piers originally constructed for the hotel failed pressure tests, delaying the project and forcing developers to look for alternate methods. In July 2007, work began on "end-bearing" footings in which holes were drilled up to 70 feet deep and then filled with concrete. The holes are wider at the bottom than the top.

While that work was being done, old foundations were found underground and had to be removed, adding to the cost of the project. There also were other unexpected costs related to the entire project, resulting in a total additional cost to the town so far of $1,033,372. The extra footings work cost Hammons more than $2 million.

The council also will consider raising the admission cost to the Children's Discovery Museum by $2 - from $4 to $6, effective Jan. 1. The increase would generate about $75,000 a year.

Assistant City Manager Pamela Reece said the admission price has not changed since the museum opened in 2004. The council nixed a plan to raise the price by $1 last year.

A $6 admission free still would be lower than several other children's museums. The Children's Museum of Indianapolis charges $8.50 for children; Kohl's Children's Museum in Glenview, $7.50; and DuPage Children's Museum in Naperville, $7.50. Museums charging $5 include the Children's Museum of Illinois in Decatur, the Orpheum Museum in Champaign, and the Family Museum in Bettendorf, Iowa.

Parks and recreation Director Garry Little also is recommending the council increase greens fees at Ironwood Golf Course from $17 to $18 for weekdays and $21 to $22 for weekends. The cost of passes also would increase. The change would bring an additional $38,000 a year and take effect Jan. 1.