The new Mohawk Valley Health System hospital planned for downtown Utica is now projected to cost $548 million, a hospital official told Common Council.

The hospital was originally projected to cost $480 million.

Robert Scholefield, health system executive vice president and chief operating officer, answered questions about costs and other issues at a special meeting of the Common Council on Friday afternoon. The meeting was called so council members could learn more about the project before they voted to close Cornelia Street between Columbia and Lafayette streets, and Sayre Alley.

Councilman Mark Williamson questioned Scholefield closely about any costs that might come to the city of Utica.

“I don’t want a steamy turd dropping onto the table at the last minute,” he said.

Scholefield assured him that the health system will finance the project completely through a $300 million state grant, financing and fundraising. Although he didn’t address the issue at the meeting, Scholefield recently said that issues such as project delays, tarrifs and higher than expected costs for purchasing properties (to help owners relocate) have driven up the cost.

The parking garage, which is being financed by Oneida County and the City of Utica, is now an entirely separate project, Scholefield said.

Williamson asked whether the city could end up paying for some of the infrastructure upgrades needed for the new hospital. Scholefield said the health system will spend $22 million on all the necessary upgrades and pointed out that those upgrades will considerably benefit the city.

They include improvements to sewers, storm drains, electricity and natural gas, among others, he said. Other businesses have wanted and now will benefit from the high volume, high pressure natural gas connection being put in, he said.

Councilwoman Maria McNeil said that she voted to sell city-owned properties to the health system for $1 in part because she understood that the city would receive other benefits from the project.