Two local doctors have announced plans to establish the first downstate birthing center for low-risk pregnancies in Bloomington.

Dr. Dele Ogunleye, Dr. Joe Santiago and a third silent partner hope to open the Bloomington-Normal Birthing Center LLC in 2016. Reports indicate the doctors, who already have a transfer agreement with OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, are currently looking at the former site of a daycare. Santiago says the team will also be required to form an agreement with a hospital, but the center would also transfer patients to Advocate BroMenn Medical Center.

A consultant for the center says the proposal still needs to go through the certificate of need process with the Illinois Health Facilities and Services review board. The doctors plan to submit their proposal by the end of the year.