Title
Dept/ Agency: Economic and Housing Development
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Execute Community Benefits Agreement.
Purpose: To authorize the execution of a Community Benefits Agreement between the City of Newark, SWPN 479 Clinton Avenue LLC, C/O South Ward Alliance, a NJ Nonprofit Corporation, and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority as a condition of receiving tax credits incentives under the Aspire Program Act, N.J.S.A. 34:1B-322 et seq., towards the construction of a 4-story, new construction, approximately 51,000 sq. ft. building to house community programs including pre-natal through toddler health services, a full service federally subsidized health care center, pharmacy, maternity center, a YMCA wellness center with nutrition counseling, physical therapy and fitness programs and office space at the properties located at 479-481 Clinton Avenue, 483 Clinton Avenue, 485 Clinton Avenue, 652 Bergen Street and 648-650 Bergen Street, Newark, New Jersey and identified on the City’s tax map as Block 2685, Lots 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 & 35
Entity Name: SWPN 479 Clinton Avenue LLC, C/O South Ward Alliance, a NJ Nonprofit Corporation
Entity Address: 35 Halsey Street, Suite 3, Newark, New Jersey, 07102
Funding Source: Aspire Program Act, N.J.S.A. 34:1B-322 et seq.
Contract Basis: ( ) Bid ( ) State Vendor ( ) Prof. Ser. ( ) EUS
( ) Fair & Open ( ) No Reportable Contributions ( ) RFP ( ) RFQ
( ) Private Sale ( ) Grant ( ) Sub-recipient ( ) n/a
List of Property:
(Address/Block/Lot/Ward)
479-481 Clinton Avenue/Block 2685/Lot 30/Additional Lot 31/South Ward
483 Clinton Avenue/Block 2685/Lot 32/South Ward
485 Clinton Avenue/Block 2685/Lot 33/South Ward
652 Bergen Street/Block 2685/Lot 34/South Ward
648-650 Bergen Street/Block 2685/Lot 35/South Ward
Additional Information:
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WHEREAS, pursuant to the New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (the "NJEDA") has established the Aspire Program Act, N.J.S.A. 34:1B-322 et seq. (the "Act") to encourage economic development and job creation; and
WHEREAS, under the Act, projects with total project costs equal to or greater than $10,000,000.00 must enter into a community benefits agreement (the "CBA") with NJEDA and the municipality or county in which the project is located; and
WHEREAS, SWPN 479 Clinton Avenue LLC, C/O South Ward Alliance (hereinafter referred to as the “Sponsor”) proposes to construct a 4-story, new construction, approximately 51,000 sq. ft. building to house community programs including pre-natal through toddler health services, a full service federally subsidized health care center, pharmacy, maternity center, a YMCA wellness center with nutrition counseling, physical therapy and fitness programs and office space located at 479-481 Clinton Avenue, 483 Clinton Avenue, 485 Clinton Avenue, 652 Bergen Street and 648-650 Bergen Street, in the City of Newark (hereinafter referred to as the “Project”); and
WHEREAS, the Project is expected to cost the Sponsor approximately $45,000,000 and will be owned by and leased to nonprofit organizations only, including St. James Health Network which will operate the Project as a federally qualified health care clinic, with Young Men’s Christian Association of Newark & Vicinity Inc. and Building Responsible Intelligent Creative Kids occupying additional space at the Project for their respective nonprofit programming; and
WHEREAS, on May 22, 2024, the Newark Municipal Council adopted Resolution 7R2-I, supporting the Project and Sponsor’s submission of the application for Aspire funding (“Tax Credits”) to the NJEDAunder the Act; and
WHEREAS, on December 3, 2024, the NJEDA approved Sponsor’s application and Tax Credits in the maximum amount of $21,794,281, and issued an Approval Letter from the NJEDA setting forth the terms and conditions for the receipt and continued receipt of such Tax Credits (“Approval Letter”); and
WHEREAS, on January 29, 2026, at 6pm, the Sponsor held a community meeting, at William Mobile Ashby Community Center, 695 Bergen Street, Newark, New Jersey, to discuss the Project and the community benefits; and
WHEREAS, WHEREAS, prior to entering into a Community Benefits Agreement (“CBA”), the Act provides that the governing body of the municipality in which the Project is located hold at least one public meeting at which the governing body shall hear testimony from residents, community groups, and other stakeholder regarding the community benefits that the agreement shall address; and
WHEREAS, in compliance with the Act and Approval Letter, the Municipal Council of the City of Newark held a public hearing on July 15, 2026, during which the residents, community groups and other stakeholders had an opportunity to testify; and
WHEREAS, under the CBA, the Sponsor agreed to the following:
a. South Ward Community Board. Sponsor will maintain a South Ward Community Board to provide a structured forum for neighborhood residents and stakeholders to offer feedback and inform programming at the Wellness Center. Sponsor will support the Community Board through periodic trainings and capacity-building opportunities focused on civic engagement, leadership, and community building.
In partnership with the Community Board, Sponsor will host “On Your Block Fest,” an annual community activation held adjacent to the Wellness Center. The event will showcase the services and resources available at the facility and provide free wellness programming to neighborhood residents.
On Your Block Fest will include, at minimum:
§ Free health screenings (including blood pressure, diabetes, BMI, and cholesterol);
§ Participation from healthy food access partners, such as farmers markets or fresh produce giveaways; and
§ Outdoor wellness classes, including activities such as yoga, Zumba, and senior mobility programming.
These efforts aim to promote community engagement, expand access to health and wellness resources, and strengthen neighborhood connections in the South Ward.
b. Signature Community Programming. Sponsor will host three annual signature events open to South Ward residents and for no or minimal cost:
i. A Summer Kickoff Outdoor Festival for Children
ii. A Harvest Community Luncheon
iii. A Winter Coat Pop-Up Shop
c. Community Access to Multipurpose Space. During such times that space is not being used by Sponsor, Sponsor will make the multipurpose/community space within the Project available for use by community residents and/or non-profit organizations that do not have established brick-and-mortar locations at no or minimal rental cost for events and/or meetings. Sponsor may charge a reasonable refundable security deposit for such usage.
d. Reduced Rental Income. Sponsor will charge a reduced rental income for the meeting space; and
WHEREAS, the Sponsor and the City along with NJEDA wish to enter into a CBA to set forth the terms and conditions relating to the delivery and offering of such benefits of the Project to the residents in and around the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by TH E MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE City of Newark, New Jersey, that:
1. The foregoing recitals are incorporated herein as if set forth in full.
2. The Community Benefits Agreement (“CBA”) is attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated into this Resolution, with minutes from this public hearing to be attached hereto, upon approval thereof.
3. The Mayor and/or his designee, and the Deputy Mayor/Director of the Department of Economic and Housing Development are hereby authorized to execute the CBA in substantially the same form as attached hereto, with such additions, deletions and modifications, as may be necessary or desirable in consultation with counsel.
4. If any part of this Resolution shall be deemed invalid such parts shall be severed and the invalidity thereby shall not affect the remaining parts of this Resolution.
5. Upon the adoption hereof, the Municipal Clerk shall forward certified copies of this Resolution to the Sponsor and to the NJEDA.
6. A copy of this Resolution shall be available for public inspection at the Office of the City Clerk.
7. This Resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This Resolution hereby authorizes the execution of a Community Benefits Agreement between SWPN 479 Clinton Avenue LLC, C/O South Ward Alliance, a NJ Nonprofit Corporation, and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, and the City of Newark, as a condition of receiving tax credits incentives under the Aspire Program Act, N.J.S.A. 34:1B-322 et seq. for the construction of a 4-story, new construction, approximately 51,000 sq. ft. building to house community programs including pre-natal through toddler health services, a full service federally subsidized health care center, pharmacy, maternity center, a YMCA wellness center with nutrition counseling, physical therapy and fitness programs and office space at the properties located at 479-481 Clinton Avenue, 483 Clinton Avenue, 485 Clinton Avenue, 652 Bergen Street and 648-650 Bergen Street, Newark, New Jersey and identified on the official tax map of the City of Newark as Block 2685, Lots 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 & 35 (South Ward).