Corenic Construction

Anacostia Arts Center Breaks Ground on Transformative Renovation, Marking a New Era for Creativity, Community, and Entrepreneurship East of the River

Naomi Seifu — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 21:50:47 +0000

January 12, 2026 | Press Releases

Groundbreaking marks the start of a 9–12 month transformation on a reimagined, community-informed hub supporting artists, small businesses, and local residents in historic Anacostia

[Washington, D.C. – January 13, 2026] The Anacostia Arts Center (AAC), powered by the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF), is proud to announce that construction is starting on its long-awaited renovation. The project marks a major milestone in the AAC’s evolution and reaffirms WACIF’s commitment to expanding economic opportunity and deepening community impact in historic Anacostia. The renovation is being led by a DC-based design-build team grounded in community-centered design: Corenic Construction Group as the construction partner and Drummond Projects as architect. The AAC has retained Beltway East as owner’s representative. Construction is expected to take 9–12 months. During the renovation period, the AAC will continue supporting artists, entrepreneurs, and residents through Satellite Programming, bringing workshops, activations, and community events to partner venues throughout Anacostia and beyond.

A Community-Informed Vision for the Future:

The redesigned space will significantly enhance the AAC’s programmatic capacity and reposition the center as a dynamic hub for arts, retail, and entrepreneurship east of the Anacostia River. The transformation reflects years of engagement with artists, residents, local entrepreneurs and the broader Anacostia community, whose insights directly shaped the AAC’s future direction.

“Renovating this building isn’t just about brick and mortar improvements.” says Messay Derebe, General Director of the AAC “It’s about ensuring a deeply valued arts, entrepreneurship and community center with a heart and soul is strengthened and improved, so it can continue to serve as an anchor and home for the community for decades to come.”

Key Features of the New Anacostia Arts Center:

Window-line retail frontage that improves visibility, access, and economic opportunity for local businesses
Flexible event, meeting, and exhibition spaces designed to support arts programming, community gatherings, and cultural expression
Enhanced integration with The Hive, the AAC’s modernized and expanded coworking space for entrepreneurs, freelancers, community organizations, and creatives
A future-forward programming plan shaped by extensive community feedback and collaboration with neighborhood partners

Deepening WACIF’s mission and commitment to impact:

The improvements to the Anacostia Arts Center extend far beyond its physical footprint. Since acquiring the building and assuming operations in 2021, WACIF has developed a deep understanding of the challenges local entrepreneurs face and the AAC’s vital role as a cultural and economic anchor in the community.

The renovation reinforces WACIF’s mission to increase equity and economic opportunity in underinvested communities across the Washington, D.C. region by investing knowledge, social, and financial capital in low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs. This transformation builds on successful program pilots including the Creator’s Academy, Afro House, Collective Wellbeing and the Fusion Festival, which expanded access to resources, networks, and opportunities for local creatives and business owners.

As the AAC evolves, WACIF will continue strengthening this mission through expanded programming, new strategic partnerships, and ongoing community engagement. A series of upcoming events will invite residents to help shape the AAC’s future and ensure its legacy as an accessible, welcoming “third space” for all.

Continued Commitment During Construction:

While the building undergoes its transformation, the AAC will remain connected and committed to its community. WACIF is ensuring that programming the community has counted on and expects from the AAC continues uninterrupted. In addition to the relocation of the HIVE co-working space to a satellite location for the duration of the project, the AAC will be presenting exhibitions in partner sites across Anacostia and beyond, producing signature programs such as the Afro House, Umoja Market, Art All Night, planning entrepreneur trainings like Contracting for Creatives, programming designed for retailers, as well as strengthening collaborations with numerous partner organizations like Building Bridges Across the River and the Anacostia BID. The closure will not only be a critical time to enhance operations for the re-opening but a dynamic period of intentional development of new opportunities to serve entrepreneurs and creatives through the space to further refine our offerings at opening. Our Satellite programming strategy will ensure uninterrupted access to arts engagement, business support, and cultural experiences, reaffirming AAC’s mission to uplift creativity and opportunity east of the river, even while its doors are temporarily closed.

Acknowledging Our Partners and Supporters

The Anacostia Arts Center redevelopment is made possible through the generous support of public and private partners committed to advancing equitable development, cultural preservation, and economic opportunity in the District of Columbia. We extend our sincere gratitude to the following sponsors for their investment in this transformative project: JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development (DMPED), Truist, Meyer Foundation, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation, Surdna Foundation, and DC Commission of the Arts and Humanities. Their support reflects a shared belief in the power of arts, culture, and entrepreneurship to strengthen communities and create lasting impact East of the River.

About Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF)

Established in 1987, the Washington Area Community Investment Fund’s mission is to increase equity and economic opportunity in underserved communities in the Washington, DC area by investing knowledge, social, and financial capital in low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs. Our mission is driven by three strategic pillars: inclusive entrepreneurship, community wealth building, and equitable economic development, and is fulfilled by providing access to capital products and services, and capacity building technical assistance to low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs. WACIF has been continuously certified as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) since 1996, making the organization one of the nation’s first CDFIs.

About Anacostia Arts Center

The Anacostia Arts Center powered by WACIF is a home for the arts, culture, and small businesses, where the physical space is used to employ and nourish the local arts and creative economy. Within the Anacostia Arts Center, community members will find our Black Box Theater, gallery, retail, HIVE coworking space, meeting and event space.

Media Contact:

For more information about WACIF and its programs, please contact:
Kaelyn Green
Director of Communications
+1 202-964-5875
Kgreen@wacif.org

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Corenic Construction Named to the INC. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies List

Naomi Seifu — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 18:45:09 +0000

Corenic Construction is proud to be recognized on the 2025 INC. 5000 list of the fastest growing private companies in America. This national honor highlights the rapid growth and impact of our work across the Washington, DC region and beyond. Earning a place on the INC. 5000 reflects the dedication of our team, the trust of our clients, and our continued commitment to delivering high-quality projects that strengthen communities and drive progress.

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Corenic Construction Named 2025 Business of the Year by DC Chamber of Commerce

Naomi Seifu — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 18:14:19 +0000

Washington, D.C. — August 25, 2025 — Corenic Construction Group has been honored with the prestigious 2025 Business of the Year Award from the DC Chamber of Commerce. The recognition highlights Corenic’s excellence in delivering innovative construction solutions, its steadfast commitment to quality, and its positive impact on communities across the District and beyond.

The DC Chamber’s Choice Awards celebrate companies whose leadership and contributions are shaping the region’s economic growth and civic vitality. Corenic was selected for its proven track record of delivering transformative projects, fostering strong client partnerships, and investing in community development initiatives.

“Being named the DC Chamber’s 2025 Business of the Year is an honor that reflects more than just the projects we’ve completed, it reflects the vision, resilience, and innovation that drive Corenic forward. From our earliest days, our mission has been simple yet powerful: to deliver excellence while uplifting every community we touch. This recognition affirms that our approach is not only working, but shaping the future of business in the District. I am immensely proud of our team and excited for the impact we will continue to make.” — Brunson Cooper, Founder and CEO

Founded on the values of integrity, collaboration, innovation, and excellence, Corenic has become one of the fastest-growing construction firms in the D.C.–Maryland–Virginia region. Its portfolio spans high-profile commercial developments, community spaces, and mission-driven projects that strengthen the local economy while uplifting the neighborhoods they serve.

“We are honored to be recognized by the DC Chamber as the 2025 Business of the Year. This award reflects the dedication of our team, the trust of our clients, and the strength of our partnerships. It strengthens our commitment to building the communities in which we operate while delivering excellence in every project.” — Christian Emezie, Vice President of Construction

Beyond construction, Corenic prioritizes workforce development, supplier diversity, and meaningful community engagement. From supporting local schools and nonprofits to mentoring the next generation of builders, the company has embedded service into its core business model.

“This award speaks to the strength of our culture: one built on integrity, collaboration, and a shared commitment to excellence. It’s also a testament to the trust our clients place in us and the long-standing partnerships that continue to drive our momentum.

To our dedicated team, thank you for your passion, your resilience, and your impact in the communities we serve. This achievement belongs to each of you. And to our valued clients, thank you for believing in us, growing with us, and allowing us to be part of your journey. Your trust fuels everything we do.” — James Morrow, Senior Vice President of Operations

The 2025 Chamber’s Choice Awards & Gala will be held on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at the National Building Museum, where Corenic will be celebrated alongside other outstanding leaders and organizations driving innovation and impact in the District. The recognition comes during Black Business Month, underscoring the importance of celebrating the achievements of Black-owned businesses that are driving growth and opportunity across the region.

About Corenic Construction Group
Corenic Construction is a full-service general contracting and construction management firm headquartered in the Washington, D.C. metro area. With a reputation for delivering complex projects on time and with uncompromising quality, Corenic partners with clients across sectors to create spaces that inspire, empower, and endure.

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Corenic Selected as General Contractor for Anacostia Arts Center Renovation

Naomi Seifu — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 20:37:48 +0000

The Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF) has finalized plans for a major renovation of the Anacostia Arts Center and raised 76% of its $11 million goal—enough to move forward with construction. Corenic Construction was selected as the general contractor, alongside Drummond Projects as architect and interior designer.

The redesign reflects community feedback, including relocating retail spaces to face the street for greater visibility and expanding the main gallery to improve traffic flow. The project will also upgrade the black-box theater and Hive coworking space, which supports over 75 entrepreneurs.

Construction is set to begin in November and will take 9–12 months. The center will be temporarily closed during the renovation.

Link to full article on Washington Business Journal

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Featured in Black Enterprise Magazine: Brunson Cooper on Building a $68M Construction Empire

Naomi Seifu — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 17:22:35 +0000

Brunson Cooper is the CEO of Corenic Construction, and his team consists of 50+ full-time staff who have collectively completed over 1,000 projects since its inception in 2009.

The company’s motto is: “A Commitment Made. A Commitment Delivered.” This has remained true for over 15 consecutive years. Brunson Cooper is the CEO of Corenic Construction, and his team consists of over 50 full-time staff members who have collectively completed more than 1,000 projects since the company’s inception in 2009. As a result, they have sound financial stability. Corenic has quickly become known in the market as a firm that delivers on time, every time! From a vast spectrum of lobby renovations to full-floor tenant improvements, Corenic has the expertise and the desire to creatively build beyond its clients’ expectations.

As for Cooper, building and nurturing relationships is a driving force in his life—a value instilled in him by his father, after whom he’s named. Without deliberately taking time to foster key relationships, he’d never be doing what he does today: owning and operating his own construction company, D.C.-based Corenic Construction. Black Enterprise caught up with him to talk about the evolution of entrepreneurship and his role as a trailblazing leader of his multimillion-dollar company.

Black Enterprise: What keeps you inspired as a visionary leader today?

Cooper: The opportunity to provide a place where people can see themselves developing their career without judgment or criticism.

BE: What are some of Corenic’s most recent awards and recognitions?

Cooper: Awarded FSC First Small Business of the Year Award

Ranked No. 21 for the Washington Business Journal (Businesses Ran By People of Color)
Ranked No. 34 for the Washington Business Journal (Largest General Contractor)
Ranked No. 31 for the Washington Business Journal (Most Diverse Business)

BE: Since your company’s inception in 2009, how has the company evolved?

Cooper: We’ve grown from receiving our first check in 2010 for $17,000 to finishing out last year around $68 million. In the beginning, the type of work we provided for our clients was small carpet and paint projects, working with our clients to really get what they needed. Then, growing from interior and retail projects to small-based buildings to larger building repositioning projects to doing rec centers, car dealerships, schools, and presently one of our largest projects, the renovation of the Baltimore Ravens Stadium.

One of the biggest things for us as a company is that our service has been No. 1, the same as it has been from the beginning, really making sure we understand our clients and treat them the way they want to be treated. We want our clients to say that we make their life easier—that’s the goal of our service.

BE: What is the latest construction project you’re working on?

Cooper: We’re working on the Baltimore Ravens stadium, a three-year project. Additionally, we are working on the Suitland High School project, which is the largest high school project in Prince George’s County, where we serve as a joint venture (JV) partner. Individually, we’re working on a recreation center in Baltimore as well as on multiple JPMorgan Chase banks, and interior renovations for DGS in Washington, DC, and multiple nonprofits in the DC region. Also, we’re working with some of the local universities and healthcare entities like Children’s Hospital, George Washington University, and other seed projects.

BE: As a founder and CEO, what is your business philosophy? What keeps you grounded in success?

Cooper: Staying humble and understanding that there is always someone who could be better than you. It’s important to always hone your skills and stay strong in what you’re doing. Never stop learning; never stop being a sponge, and always giving back. As quickly as someone gives you information, you should share that information with others.

In regard to the business itself, I look at the people who work with me. They have a choice to work at this company. Therefore, I have the responsibility to ensure that they can grow and be all that they can be. The way I treat my clients is the same way I treat my employees and contractors.

I feel that I am a connector of great clients, connecting them to great people, along with great subcontractors. I’m a connector in that sense. I make it my business to solve problems and provide turnkey solutions for my clients.

BE: What does the future look like for Corenic in the next 5 years?

Cooper: In the next five years, our goal is to expand our footprint. We’re currently in the mid-Atlantic region and Pittsburgh. Our expansion goal is Richmond, the Carolinas, and Florida. Our company is looking to grow threefold over the next 3-5 years.

BE: Who is your mentor/coach, and why?

Cooper: I have two mentors. One is Thomas Moorehead, who used to own Moorehead Industries. He was essentially the first African American dealership owner of Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini, Bugatti, and other luxury brands.

The other mentor is Henry Gilford, who owns Gilford Corporation. Both of these gentlemen have really opened doors for me. Moorehead, with the ability to say, “Hey, I choose you to do this work because I believe in you.” I was afforded opportunities that most contractors would envy. And for him to have the people who work for me to utilize their skillset to accomplish building spaces like that for him is incredible and truly humbling.

From a business perspective, I gleaned from how they ran businesses and created an empire. Gilford opened up the doors in the general contracting space. Even though he’s no longer in business, he was instrumental in opening doors and helped me build the company I have now.

Originally published by Roz A. Gee on Black Enterprise Magazine.

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Baltimore Ravens $430M Stadium Upgrades to Roll out in 2024

Corenic Construction — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 19:07:53 +0000

Ravens’ $430M state-funded stadium upgrades to roll out in 2024, include 3 plazas, expanded concourses

Corenic Construction is thrilled to announce our partnership with Gilbane for the renovations of the M&T Bank stadium. This project is a significant milestone for us, and we are truly excited to play a major role in its success.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Baltimore Sun

By HAYES GARDNER | hgardner@baltsun.com

PUBLISHED: December 12, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. | UPDATED: December 12, 2023 at 6:29 p.m.

M&T Bank Stadium will soon undergo its most substantial makeover since it opened in 1998.

Equipped with a large fund of state dollars, the Ravens and the Maryland Stadium Authority unveiled plans Tuesday to renovate the 71,008-seat venue. Some improvements will be finished by August 2024, ahead of the start of next year’s regular season, while others are scheduled to be completed ahead of the 2025 and 2026 campaigns. By the end, three plazas with bars and retail stores will surround the stadium and greet fans on game days, the upper concourses will be expanded by several thousand square feet to decrease foot traffic, and premium seating will be added next to the field and above the lower level, where the press box currently sits.

The renovations will cost the state at least $430 million over the three years.

That money comes from a 2022 law passed by the General Assembly and then-Gov. Larry Hogan, which permitted the stadium authority to issue $600 million in bonds for improvements to each of Baltimore’s two pro sports stadiums, provided the Orioles and Ravens, which operate as tenants of the state, signed long-term leases. By agreeing in January to a lease until at least 2037, the Ravens unlocked their share of those state funds and have worked with the stadium authority as well as Gensler, an architecture firm, and Gilbane, a construction company, on those plans.

“We want to make sure with such a significant investment that we really impacted and enhanced the experience for all of our fans,” Ravens president Sashi Brown told The Baltimore Sun.

The bulk of the improvements will be completed ahead of the 2025 season, but by 2024, fans will see some additions, including a two-level beer hall, dubbed The Gatehouse, on the east side of the stadium. Similar to rowhouses in many Baltimore neighborhoods, the bar will feature a roof deck with string lights.

“It will look out over Fed Hill toward the Inner Harbor. So that’s going to be awesome,” Brown said.

That will be the first of three plazas. Ahead of the 2026 season, the Ravens will add an 8,000- to 10,000-square-foot retail store, open year-round, on the south side, and in 2025, two large structures — the marquee addition of the remodel — will flank the gates on the north side, next to the statues of Ray Lewis and Johnny Unitas. That plaza, billed as the “Grand Entrance to M&T Bank Stadium” by the Ravens, will have a stage, a sports bar, a tailgate area, as well as a team store and some sort of element highlighting the team’s history.

A rendering of upcoming renovations coming to M&T Bank Stadium. (Baltimore Ravens/Courtesy)

Show Caption

“We’re creating a new front door to M&T Bank Stadium,” Ravens senior vice president of marketing Brad Downs said.

Traditional tailgating will continue in parking lots, but the plazas will likely entice some fans to spend their pregame hours in bars attached to the stadium.

“As you know, the beer is colder and the hot dogs taste better here in our footprint, so we want to make sure we extend that,” said Rich Tamayo, Ravens senior vice president of stadium operations and guest experience.

The plazas will generally not be open year-round but could be rented out for private events or host watch parties for Ravens road games. They will be open on game days for all fans, but some upgrades to the stadium will only be enjoyed by a select few.

The press box — located at midfield just above the first level, one of the most coveted views of the field — will be relocated in 2024 to the southeast corner. In its place will be 10 suites and an exclusive adjoining club, which will have a “speakeasy” feel, the Ravens said in a news release, with “concierge service, high-end food and beverage options, mixologists at the bar, featured cocktails, a special selection of bakery items from a pastry chef and more.”

“It’s going to be a really exciting space that will allow our big corporations who are now up on the third floor get a little bit closer to the action and have an elevated experience for them and their guests on game day,” Brown said.

Field suites and lower-level clubs that will “get you feet from the action,” Brown said, will also be added in 2025.

The Ravens surveyed fans’ preferences and, as a result, will also plan to add more bathrooms and conditioned spaces for all attendees to avoid the elements. Adding a roof was never seriously considered — it would be prohibitively expensive and, Brown said, the Ravens enjoy the element of playing outside.

The upper concourse will also be expanded in 2025 to improve the flow of foot traffic and, at off-peak times, become a place to socialize.

Tens of millions of dollars worth of renovations will be infrastructure-focused, but Brown said that, because the stadium has been well cared for, much of the investment will go toward fan-facing improvements.

“It’s a tribute to M&T [Bank Stadium]. It was constructed really well, it’s been maintained really well and it’s stood the test of time. It’s still a beautiful stadium and, with the investments that we’ve made in it, it doesn’t feel like it’s dated and the infrastructure is strong,” he said.

At 25 years old, M&T Bank Stadium is one of the older NFL stadiums. The Tennessee Titans’ stadium, which opened a year after Baltimore’s, will soon be replaced by a $2.1 billion venue paid for with public and private dollars.

The Ravens announced their upcoming projects Tuesday with a news conference at M&T Bank Stadium, complete with a band and dancers greeting attendees. Brown, alongside Ravens executives, Gensler’s Global Director of Sports Ryan Sickman, and stadium authority Chair Craig Thompson, outlined the plans.

“Quite frankly, I’ve not been this excited in a while about looking at pictures,” Thompson said afterward, referencing displayed renderings. “Knowing what they represent in terms of the hard work of [stadium authority vice president of capital projects] Phil Hutson, his team, the MSA, the partnership, is really sort of a long time coming.”

The improvements, as scheduled, would still leave nearly $170 million (of the $600 million) in state finances for the Ravens to potentially use later.

“These are public dollars. [We] want to make sure we’re careful and thoughtful and efficient with the investment. And we’ve worked well with MSA to get to, I think, a really good place that will be very impactful across the stadium and the fan experience as a whole,” Brown said.

The state of Maryland paid for the construction of M&T Bank Stadium in the 1990s and, since then, the Ravens have paid for maintenance and operation costs, but not rent to the state. By playing in a publicly owned stadium, the team enjoys other benefits such as not having to pay property taxes — which would have been at least $176 million since it was built, according to one estimate — but has also invested almost $250 million of its own money in capital improvements, Brown said.

Some observers have said the state could better spend its money on other needed projects aside from stadium improvements. At an event Monday evening focused on rehabilitating vacant properties, the Rev. Andrew Connors said, “If we can find close to $1.5 billion in lean times for our football and baseball teams,” before being interrupted by applause.

“If we can find hundreds of millions of dollars in public money for the Inner Harbor for a second time,” he continued, “then we all know we can find the money for a first-time investment in our neighborhoods.”

Mayor Brandon Scott, who attended Monday evening’s event on rehabilitating vacant properties and Tuesday’s stadium news conference, said that this is a “both-and” situation, meaning government can support neighborhoods as well as the stadiums.

“The state of Maryland owns this building [M&T Bank Stadium],” Scott told The Sun on Tuesday. “This is the government investing in its own asset and allowing it to benefit all of the city. We do not have to make these false choices.”

Asked about the argument that public money could be spent more wisely elsewhere, Brown noted that the team generates tax revenue for the state, as well as ancillary benefits and publicity.

“The direct benefits of us being here, with the tax revenue that we generate, with the investment that we’ve made alongside the state into the stadium, is a really positive story,” Brown said.

Economists routinely argue against subsidies for privately owned pro sports teams, saying taxpayer dollars could be better served toward education, transportation or even tax breaks.

The stadium authority will issue bonds and borrow money from JPMorgan Chase to finance the upcoming improvements, which will ultimately be paid off over at least a decade with lottery revenue. The stadium authority board has recently discussed and approved some of the renovations and, in May, the Board of Public Works approved the plan to borrow up to $450 million.

“We are pleased and very, very excited to be able to advance this item today,” Gov. Wes Moore, who chairs the three-person board, said at the time, “to ensure that M&T Bank Stadium will continue to serve as a vital cultural, a vital economic and a vital entertainment asset for Baltimore, and also for the state of Maryland, for years to come.”

The Orioles have not accessed their portion of the funds for Camden Yards because they have not yet signed a long-term lease, after an agreed-to deal came to a halt Friday. Their current lease with the state expires Dec. 31.

Baltimore Sun reporter Emily Opilo contributed to this article.

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Officials Break Ground for New Suitland High School

Corenic Construction — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 19:13:53 +0000

Corenic Construction and Turner Construction embark on a multi-phased joint venture

On Thursday, June 30, 2022, Corenic Construction was joined by Turner Construction at Suitland High School’s Groundbreaking Ceremony to introduce the new construction of the Prince George’s County high school. Located in Forestville, Maryland, the multi-phased project includes full replacement of the existing 344,875 SF and 2,477 student Suitland High School Campus, consisting of the Comprehensive High School (CHS), Center for Visual and Performing (CVPA) Arts and Career Technical Education (CTE).

As a Prince George’s County based contractor, Corenic Construction is excited to embark on this joint venture with Turner Construction, ensuring small and minority businesses are well represented while doing impactful work within our community. After 70 years, this historic redesign allows students to abide by Suitland’s motto “Falling Forward Toward Student Achievement.” With our young people and future leaders in mind, we have made a commitment to the future of our county’s education system, which allows us to stay true to our mission – A commitment made is a commitment delivered!

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A Maryland school system launches a P3 program

Corenic Construction — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 15:24:08 +0000

Gilbane and Stantec are part of a consortium that breaks ground on six new schools this week.

BY JOHN CAULFIELD, SENIOR EDITOR |JUNE 29, 2021

Article Source: https://www.bdcnetwork.com/

Exterior rendering of new K-12 school in Prince George’s County in Maryland

rince George’s County Public Schools is the second-largest school system in Maryland. It is also the second-oldest, with more than half of its 208 schools over 50 years old.

Like many school systems around the nation, Prince George’s faces rising enrollment with aging buildings and not enough seats. To address these shortfalls, the county has initiated an alternative construction financing program with some of the industry’s leading AEC firms, whose goal is to accelerate the time it takes to plan, finance, and build schools, and to reduce the cost of construction and maintenance.

COMMITMENT TO SMALL AND MINORITY BUSINESS PARTICIPATION

This consortium, known as Prince George’s County Education & Community Partners, this week broke ground on six K-8 and Middle schools whose completion is scheduled for the summer of 2023. The properties will be turned over to the consortium on July 1 to begin construction through a Public-Private partnership delivery approach. The consortium comprises Fengate Asset Management, an alternative investment manager focused on infrastructure, private equity, and real estate strategies; Gilbane Development Company (a financing member), Gilbane Building Company (the lead design-builder), Stantec (designer and AOR), and Honeywell (lead services provider).

Also see: Three AEC firms launch a mass timber product for quicker school construction

According to the Prince George’s County Public Schools “Blueprint Schools” website, Arel Architects, a certified county-based small business and minority business enterprise, is part of the design team and has a mentor protégé relationship with Stantec. Warren Builds Construction and Corenic Construction Group (also certified small and minority businesses) are on the construction team and have mentor protégé relationships with Gilbane. Three|E Consulting Group serves as the economic inclusion and compliance team.

The consortium is guaranteeing procurement of at least 30% of total eligible costs of the program to minority-owned businesses, community-based small businesses, and the creation of county-based jobs.

CUTTING THE PLAN-TO-BUILD TIME IN HALF

In Maryland, it typically takes seven years to plan and build a school. The consortium’s members believe the county’s alternative financing approach can cut that time in half, and save an aggregate of $174 million in deferred maintenance and construction costs for all six new schools, compared to a traditional construction procurement model.

The six schools under construction create 3,000 jobs and will result in upgraded facilities for more than 8,000 students and their families.

Prince George’s County claims to be the first public school system in the U.S. to leverage a full-scope alternative financing model to design, build, finance, and maintain a multi-school K-12 construction program.

“We have made tremendous strides in the area of long-range facility planning to advance from a capital program of primarily emergency repair projects toward a major modernization program with a plan to address each older facility in our inventory over the next 20 years,” says Dr. Monica Goldson, CEO of Prince George’s County Public Schools. “The Blueprint Schools initiative helps us accelerate delivery of new schools and modernizations for safe, sustainable, educational facilities to fully support 21st Century instruction for our students, staff, and community.”

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Starbucks Expands in Underserved Communities

Corenic Construction — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 17:24:44 +0000

Corenic Construction projects featured in the Starbucks Ariticle:

Starbucks Anacostia – Washington, DC

Starbucks Capital Plaza – Landover Hills, MD

Article Source: Starbucks Stories and News

January 16, 2020

Starbucks plans to operate 100 stores by 2025 in underrepresented neighborhoods across the country as part of the expanded Community Store program, working with non-profits and civic leaders to bolster economic growth

A national partnership with United Way will help enable hundreds of Starbucks partners (employees) to drive meaningful community engagement in and outside of store

Starbucks partners are multiplying their community impact this month with the distribution of 1,000 Neighborhood Grants to local NGOs and support in hundreds of service projects for Martin Luther King Jr. Week of Service

SEATTLE – Five years following the launch of its Community Store Program initiative, Starbucks today announced it will increase its commitment to open 100 Community Stores dedicated to providing economic opportunity in underserved rural and urban communities across the country, an 85 store increase from its 2015 commitment. These stores will focus on hiring locally, creating dedicated space for communities to come together for events and working with diverse contractors for store construction and remodels. The company aspires to complete this goal by 2025.

Starbucks will consider factors such as high youth unemployment, low median household income and population stability when selecting Community Store locations. The company will prioritize developing cafes in economically distressed communities, or Opportunity Zones, with upcoming locations planned for Prince George’s County, MD; Anacostia, D.C.; and Los Angeles, CA.

“We believe it is our role and responsibility to partner with those in the communities we serve to help make a positive economic and social impact,” said John Kelly, executive vice president of Public Affairs at Starbucks. “These stores are successful and it’s time to expand the model. Over the last five years, we’ve seen these Community Stores empower our partners and customers to create meaningful impact that is localized and relevant to their neighborhoods. We’ve learned a great deal from our 14 Community Stores and applied those learnings to how we approach community partnership in more than 8,000 neighborhoods we serve across the country.”

The Community Stores will share several common aspects compared to other Starbucks cafes, including: locations in economically distressed communities; a designated room or space for community events and programming; a partnership with a local United Way chapter to facilitate relevant community programs; a focus on working with diverse contractors for store construction and remodels; and an emphasis on hiring locally.

Since launching the Community Store initiative in 2015, Starbucks has opened 14 stores across the country in Jamaica Queens, NY; Ferguson, MO; Phoenix, AZ; Englewood in the southside of Chicago; east Baltimore; Long Beach, CA; Trenton, NJ; White Center in south Seattle; Miami Gardens, FL; Birmingham, AL; Redbird in Dallas, TX; Bed-Stuy in Brooklyn, NY; New Orleans, LA; and Jonesboro, GA. The 15^th store will open in Prince George’s County, MD this spring.

Starbucks estimates its Community Stores have helped:

Create more than 300 local jobs and connect young people to education and employment opportunities.
Generate more than $59.7 million in indirect economic development created from store construction and over 1,100 indirect jobs.
Identify and eliminate barriers to entry that prevent diverse-owned contractors from competing successfully to build stores for the company.
Provide 14 community spaces decorated with local artwork that reflects the personality and heart of each community.

To scale the program to 100 locations by 2025, Starbucks will focus on supporting store remodels in addition to new development projects.

As part of Starbucks national partnership with United Way, local United Ways and 211s in targeted communities will work with Community Store partners to create resources and programs for each community from life skills training for youth to mentorship programs and beyond. That includes facilitating activities at the stores that support people in the community, providing Starbucks partners with customized community profiles and resource information and connecting partners with volunteer activities that help create real change in the communities in which they live and work.

“United Way and Starbucks share a commitment to ensuring every person has the opportunity to thrive, and we’re honored to partner with them,” said Suzanne McCormick, U.S. President of United Way Worldwide. “United Way has been connecting people to resources across the U.S. for more than 130 years, and we look forward to deploying United Way’s local expertise and experience to help Starbucks Community Stores make a real difference.”

The Starbucks Foundation Awards 1,000 Neighborhood Grants, Thousands of Starbucks Partners Volunteer in National Service Projects

In addition to today’s news of the Community Store expansion, The Starbucks Foundation also announced it has awarded more than 1,000 Neighborhood Grants, a new giving program that creates local impact and empowers store partners to strengthen relationships with local nonprofit organizations. To date, hundreds of store managers have secured more than $1 million in grants from The Starbucks Foundation for more than 1,000 local nonprofit organizations in all 50 U.S. states and all Canadian provinces.

In addition to these local partnerships initiated by Starbucks partners every day, thousands of store partners have committed to hundreds of local service projects next week across the United States as part of the Martin Luther King Week of Good. In many communities, United Way is facilitating volunteer activities that help improve education, health and financial stability.

To learn more about how our partners are creating meaningful connections and driving positive impact in their communities, visit stories.starbucks.com/stories/partners.

About Starbucks

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with more than 31,000 stores around the globe, Starbucks is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at https://stories.starbucks.com and www.Starbucks.com.

About United Way

United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. Supported by 2.9 million volunteers, 8.1 million donors worldwide and $4.8 billion raised every year, United Way is the world’s largest privately-funded nonprofit. We’re engaged in nearly 1,800 communities across more than 40 countries and territories worldwide to create sustainable solutions to the challenges facing our communities. United Way partners include global, national and local businesses, nonprofits, government, civic and faith-based organizations, along with educators, labor leaders, health providers, senior citizens, students and more. For more information about United Way, please visit https://www.UnitedWay.org. Follow us on Twitter: @UnitedWay and #LiveUnited.

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Corenic Construction — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 17:23:41 +0000