A new health facility that aims to improve patient outcomes in an underserved community is officially underway as a long-planned joint venture has begun construction in the Brick City.
RWJBarnabas Health recently joined BRICK Networks, Saint James Health Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), and the YMCA of Newark and Vicinity to break ground on the construction of the South Ward Wellness Center in Newark. The public-private partnership is supported by a $3 million investment from RWJBarnabas Health as part of the system’s Our Healthy Communities initiative.
Situated at 483 Clinton Avenue, the new 50,000-square-foot facility, designed by Thriven Design, will also feature an 11,000-square-foot Express YMCA space.
“At RWJBarnabas Health, our mission is to build and sustain a healthier New Jersey – and that commitment extends far beyond the walls of our hospitals,” said Mark E. Manigan, President and Chief Executive Officer, RWJBarnabas Health. “Our investment in the South Ward Wellness Center, supported through funding from the State of New Jersey, reflects our dedication to expanding access to care, advancing prevention, and addressing root causes that impact health.”
The future wellness center will house a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), a community room for gatherings and workshops, a full-service pharmacy, a maternal health wing, primary care suites, and flexible space for fellow nonprofits. It will additionally feature state-of-the-art classrooms for health and cooking education.
“This is more than a wellness center, it’s the physical embodiment of what our community has demanded and deserves,” said Dominique Lee, CEO of BRICK Networks. “Our children and families guide our work. By listening to their voices, we are increasing access to health care and removing the obstacles that prevent people from living their dreams and building lasting prosperity.”
The South Ward Wellness Center was approved for up to $21.7 million in Aspire tax credits back in 2024. The facility is fully funded for construction at $48 million, with an additional $5 million needed to pay off the mortgage.
Funding for the project has been supported by the Victoria Foundation and through a federal appropriation secured by the late Congressman Donald M. Payne. Other sponsors include the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, M&T Bank, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, State Senate Majority Leader Senator Ruiz, the Burke Foundation, the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey, Wells Fargo, LISC, Grow America, and the Reinvestment Fund.
The center is expected to be open and fully operational next year, with a planned opening in April 2027.
