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Real estate development has the potential to be much more than just constructing buildings; it’s an opportunity to shape our communities. This responsibility fuels Foundry’s mission to integrate purpose into our projects, leveraging our expertise to create meaningful opportunities and positive change in the places we live, work, and serve. Through partnerships and a focus on long-term impact, Foundry has found a way to do business in a meaningful way, prioritizing doing well while also doing good.
Foundry Commercial and The Carrie Meek Foundation
In 2007, even before joining Foundry Commercial, Chief Investment Officer Pryse Elam began working on a transformative project that would eventually come to fruition more than a decade later. In consideration of her decades of service to the County, Miami-Dade granted a ground lease at the Miami-Opalocka Executive Airport to The Carrie Meek Foundation. It was a historic opportunity to partner with a developer and establish The Carrie Meek International Business Park, using some of the proceeds from the development to fund the Foundation’s programs and sustain its future.
Pryse successfully navigated his way through a competitive selection process that resulted in the public-private partnership with Foundry Commercial. Foundry’s role was to develop the real estate, and the Foundation provided job training, placement, and economic development in the area. Both organizations recognized the benefit of an innovative collaboration, using commercial real estate development as a spur to impact community and economic development.
It took four years to negotiate a workable lease with the Miami-Dade Aviation Department, another year to obtain the permits for the project, and another year to build it. Fast-forward to just over a decade after getting started (sometimes big visions take a long time to come to fruition), the Foundry/Carrie Meek Foundation partnership completed the project. The site now includes more than 2.5 million square feet of warehouse space, most of which is leased to the world’s largest e-commerce company.
The Foundation worked with the tenants in the project, helping to bring more than 3,000 new jobs to the area. Participation in the development, which included the building of a new Foundation headquarters, has enabled it to award $10 million in community-based grants throughout Miami-Dade County over the past three years.
The Carrie Meek Foundation advances Congresswoman Carrie P. Meek’s vision for civically engaged, well-resourced, and resilient communities. It helps improve the lives of residents in Miami-Dade County and the larger South Florida community through access to education, safe and affordable housing, quality health care, and economic opportunity. Thanks to its relationship with Foundry, the Foundation has been able to expand its reach through impactful grantmaking programs and initiatives, creating a win-win public-private partnership.
Today, Pryse continues his involvement by serving on the Foundation’s board and managing its endowment. Reflecting on the journey, he shares, “Witnessing the Foundation’s growth from an emerging nonprofit to an organization expanding its mission beyond South Florida has been the opportunity of a lifetime. It’s deeply rewarding to see the meaningful changes this partnership brings to the communities it serves.”
Preserving History and Building Opportunity in Charlotte
When the Charlotte Douglas International Airport issued a public request for proposals for a highly desirable 80-acre industrial site in the submarket, Foundry Commercial’s commitment to community stood out. The site included the historic Steele Creek Presbyterian Church sanctuary and adjacent Civil War-era cemetery. Recognizing the cultural significance of these landmarks, Foundry knew that whatever development was proposed for the site would need to preserve those important historical landmarks. That’s why the company has been diligent about collaborating with the North Carolina Historic Preservation Office and the Historic Landmarks Commission to ensure both the sanctuary and the cemetery are maintained.
In an innovative move, Foundry saw a way to ‘do well by doing good,’ donating the sanctuary to She Built This City, a minority-led nonprofit that trains women of color for careers in construction. Along with the donation, Foundry contributed $50,000 in seed funding and provided office space to help the organization expand its reach. Jenae Valentine, a board member of She Built This City and part of Maxis Advisors, has played a pivotal role in supporting the nonprofit’s mission and strengthening its impact in the community.
For the Steele Creek project, Foundry has again partnered with The Carrie Meek Foundation – this time to extend its mission into Charlotte, addressing local needs in job training and education. Through these efforts, Foundry is not only preserving a piece of history but is also creating opportunities for economic empowerment. This project exemplifies how thoughtful development can serve the dual purpose of honoring the past while building a brighter future.
A Lifetime of Service: Mark Meyer’s Impact on Central Florida’s Nonprofits
For over four decades, Mark Meyer, Foundry Commercial’s Director of Project Management, has devoted his career to advancing nonprofit real estate development in Central Florida. His unwavering commitment has transformed organizations like the YMCA, the Coalition for the Homeless, Campus Crusade for Christ, First Orlando, the Geneva School, Second Harvest Food Bank, Wycliffe Bible Translators, and 4Roots, profoundly benefiting the communities they serve.
One of Mark’s most impactful projects is the $50-million New Center for Women & Families on the campus of the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida. With homelessness in the region increasing by 105% in the past year, this center addresses the critical need for shelter and services, particularly for vulnerable women and children. Foundry Commercial has provided comprehensive support, including project management, real estate transactions, and strategies for funding and approvals.
“Working on projects like the New Center for Women & Families underscores how we can prioritize doing good while delivering exceptional results for our clients,” says Mark. “It’s a privilege to contribute to initiatives that truly make a difference.”
Purpose at the Heart of Our Business
These examples highlight Foundry Commercial’s dedication to aligning our expertise with community betterment. From fostering job training and preserving history to supporting critical nonprofit initiatives, our projects demonstrate that real estate can be a powerful force for good.
At Foundry, we build more than structures; we build lasting connections and opportunities. By balancing purpose with our core focus, we reinforce our commitment to creating a positive impact in every community we touch.