North Miami CRA approves $250,000 grant to bring birth and wellness center to city

The North Miami Community Redevelopment Agency voted to award a $250,000 business attraction grant to Olamina Properties LLC to convert a commercial property at 609 Northeast 127th Street into a birth and wellness center operated by Southern Birth Justice Network and Magnolia Birth House.

Jimmy Joseph, the CRA's commercial and capital project coordinator, told the board the building is roughly 3,000 square feet and the applicant plans a 500-square-foot expansion to create three birthing suites, a midwife suite, five offices, two prenatal exam rooms and a community room. Staff estimated total project costs at about $800,000 and recommended approval of the $250,000 grant to support rehabilitation and build-out.

Board members praised the project as addressing local gaps in maternal care, citing recent closures of maternity units and the need for culturally competent services. Vice mayor and other councilmembers said the center would help reduce maternal health disparities and called the project a community asset.

When asked how patients would pay, an Olamina representative said their mobile clinic is grant-funded, the nonprofit "doesn't turn anyone away for lack of ability to pay," and the organization will work with Medicaid or private insurance when applicable while using grant funds to cover uninsured patients or those with unaffordable co-pays.

The motion to approve the grant was moved and seconded and carried 5'00. Project timing provided by the applicant sets a construction completion goal in 2026 with the first babies born in the new facility in early 2027.

The public hearing on the item was opened and closed with no outside public speakers in the chamber; multiple board members and councilmembers expressed support during the meeting.