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Harlem Renaissance project’s Legacy Wellness Center nears opening, touts health access and jobs
Summary
Developers and city staff said phase 1 of the Harlem Renaissance three‑phase plan — a Legacy Wellness Center offering dental, behavioral health, pharmacy and training space — is within 30–45 days of opening; project leaders said the private investment totals about $6 million and could create 100+ jobs while addressing life‑expectancy gaps in ZIP 31701.
City planning staff and project developers told the commission the Harlem Renaissance initiative is a three‑phase, place‑based revitalization strategy intended to restore health care, housing and economic opportunity in the historic Harlem District.
"Phase 1 is the wellness center," the presenter told commissioners, describing a community‑centered hub that will offer dental care, behavioral health, a pharmacy, expanded Samaritan Clinic services, a conference/training room, a research lab and partner offices. Staff said the site — on Jefferson at Oglethorpe — was the project’s first private investment in the district in decades and that exterior and interior work are nearing completion.
Officials highlighted a set of local health indicators to explain the choice: residents in ZIP 31701 have an average life expectancy of about 69 years compared with 79.7 years in ZIP 31721, a gap the presenters said underlines the need for primary care and pharmacy access.
Project partners cited in the presentation include Mount Zion’s Community Reinvestment Corporation, the Harlem Renaissance Corporation, Phoebe and Morehouse School of Medicine partnerships, and the Samaritan Clinic, which will expand from no‑cost services to accept insurance. The presenters said phase‑one investment is about $6,000,000, the development will support six new or expanded health and wellness businesses and create about 100 jobs.
City staff said they will coordinate an opening walkthrough for commissioners within the next 30 days and will notify the mayor and city clerk so the commission can attend the ribbon‑cutting. No formal zoning or city financial vote was required at the meeting; residents and commissioners largely praised the progress and asked questions about tenant fill and long‑term programming.
Next steps: Staff will finalize tenant announcements and schedule a formal opening ceremony in coordination with the commission.
