SLDC Director Otis Williams said Wednesday that the revised hospital development agreement was negotiated in “the spirit of cooperation.” City officials feel more comfortable signing the new deal, since it requires McKee to close on financing, instead of simply proving he has backing. At the same time, it allows NorthSide to use the signed agreement to secure lenders. Mark Grimm, an attorney for SLDC, said even if NorthSide had shown evidence it had solid lender commitments, it still takes six months to close on financing so the extension “does not materially change the date.”

Green said she has been contacted by aldermen concerned about the change and said there would be “ample time” for them to consider it if the developers aren’t expecting to close before August.

Reed, who cast a key committee vote in favor of the TIF last year, said the board, if it had to pass a new version, could take months to get to it. He asked whether the bill’s sponsor, Alderwoman Tammika Hubbard, had contacted Green with concerns.