Last week, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Board approved Aspire tax credits for a health care center in Newark. Located along Clinton Avenue in the city’s South Ward, the center will house a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), a pharmacy, and various other community health offerings.
“Governor Phil Murphy envisioned the Aspire Program to support a wide range of projects to spur community development and economic growth. Since its implementation, the program has gone on to support mixed-use housing developments, innovation hubs, production studios, and now a major health care center in the South Ward of Newark,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “The South Ward Wellness Center will help transform the community by addressing health care inequities while creating good-paying jobs and serving as an economic driver in the neighborhood. The Aspire Program is continuing to make a difference in communities across the state.”
The South Ward Wellness Center, which was approved for up to $21.7 million in Aspire tax credits, will consist of over 46,000 square feet, including a nearly 12,000-square-foot FQHC. FQHCs are nonprofit, community-based clinics focused on providing quality health care services to medically underserved areas and populations regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. The Wellness Center’s FQHC space will be leased by Saint James Health, Inc., which operates several FQHCs across Newark and will offer primary and preventative community health care services.
The applicant, South Ward Promise Neighborhood (SWPN), will be the tenant for the remainder of the space at the Wellness Center. The community-focused nonprofit organization will provide numerous health care services, including group therapy as well as maternal, medical, and physical health services. SWPN was formed in 2014 as a place-based organization focused on expanding access to quality education, food, housing, employment, and physical and mental health resources for families in Newark’s South Ward.
“I commend the NJEDA and all involved in making this transformative project a reality for our community,” said Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex/Hudson). “It is great to see what is possible when we lock arms to bring legislative policies to life as intended. This project not only delivers crucial health services to the South Ward but also stimulates local economic growth and job creation. The South Ward Wellness Center exemplifies our ongoing efforts to tackle decades of inequality in Newark while strengthening our families through a mission-driven approach.”
“Being born and raised in Newark, I understand the impact of ensuring access to healthcare in creating a healthier, more equitable community. Establishing a one-stop health center that offers access to various services without needing to travel outside of this city will make a world of difference to its residents,” said Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin (D-Essex/Hudson). “The tax credit awards being announced today are the latest testament to the difference the Aspire program is having in cities and towns throughout New Jersey.”
“The approval of the Aspire award for the South Ward Wellness Center is a monumental achievement for New Jersey,” said Assemblywoman Shanique Speight (D-Essex/Hudson). “I am thrilled about the transformative impact this will have on our community fostering wellness growth and a brighter future for the South Ward.”
The site is located at 479-485 Clinton Avenue and 648-652 Bergen Street within proximity to multiple NJ TRANSIT bus lines. The site currently consists of vacant land and older retail and warehouse buildings which will be demolished to complete the project. The project will have four stories of approximately 11,500 square feet per story. Once complete, it will include up to 11,000 square feet of solar panels generating clean renewable electricity reducing operating costs.
“The South Ward Wellness Center is yet another example of our holistic approach to progress,” said Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka. “This enables us to move several pegs forward at once; we will provide residents with physical and mental healthcare other wellness services employment opportunities beautified neighborhood boost community’s economy grateful South Ward Promise Neighborhood helping secure important tax credit grateful many ways Governor Murphy NJEDA partner help people Newark.”
Aspire is an economic development program created under New Jersey Economic Recovery Act 2020 (ERA) supporting mixed-use transit-oriented development with tax credits commercial residential real estate projects financing gaps performance-based program projects certify commitments established time approval met before receiving first disbursement tax credits.
In line with Governor Murphy’s NJEDA commitment fiscal responsibility transparency Aspire program rules include provisions such gap financing review excess revenue sharing requirements ensure tax credits awarded responsibly.
