(Photo by Christina Estes - KJZZ)

The Phoenix City Council approved up to $8.8 million in public infrastructure reimbursements for Arizona State University's Health Solutions Innovations Center.

The price tag to help Arizona State University break ground on a health center in north Phoenix has increased by millions.

ASU plans to build its Health Solutions Innovation Center (HSIC) near the Mayo Clinic, off the Loop 101.

When it was pitched over the summer, ASU wanted to be reimbursed $1.3 million for initial infrastructure costs, like street paving and water and sewer lines. At that time, Councilwoman Thelda Williams said it amounted to pennies and nickels compared to what the city spends.

There were no comments during Wednesday’s council meeting when members unanimously approved an extra $7 million for public infrastructure. A city report said it will cover a public pedestrian-bicycle bridge and public street and sidewalk improvements. ASU will be reimbursed after improvements are made.

ASU plans to break ground on the health and bioscience facilities in 2018. The center is part of an agreement between the city, ASU and Mayo Clinic to create the Arizona Biomedical Corridor.

The report said reimbursement will come from the Strategic Economic Development Fund with the following options listed as alternate funding sources based on eligibility of expenditures and funding availability:

• Highway User Revenue Funds
• Water Revenues
• Wastewater Revenues
• Downtown Community Reinvestment Funds