How the Carrie Meek Foundation and Becker & Poliakoff Partnered To Make Amazon Opa-Locka Land Lease Happen
The Carrie Meek International Park Groundbreaking – Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport
The Carrie Meek International Park Groundbreaking was held today. Representatives from The Meek Foundation, Foundry Commercial, Clarion Partners and Amazon and the lawyers from Becker & Poliakoff attended.
The business park — one of the largest job-creating projects in the history of Miami-Dade County and the first public-private partnership of its kind in Florida — has come to realization thanks to the grit of two determined women: Lucia Davis Raiford, daughter of the famous Congresswoman Carrie Meek, and Jennifer Bales Drake, the Real Estate Practice Chair with Becker & Poliakoff.
The attorney/businesswoman duo worked tirelessly for over six years and handled everything including the joint venture partner selection while Ms. Drake negotiated with the county, the FAA, and Foundry Commercial. Along the way, the duo held fast, refusing interim offers while Ms. Drake resolved the complex regulatory and land-use issues — including the valuation of the real estate — to strike a multi-million dollar deal.
“I am proud to have worked alongside Lucia on this labor of love,” said Ms. Drake. “Our collaboration and its impact on the outcome was underestimated by those across the table.”
The 800,000-square-foot Amazon fulfillment center at Opa-Locka Airport will create more than 1,000 full-time jobs for the surrounding community. The Foundation, through its programs, will assist in workforce training for the community. The deal ensures that Congresswoman Meek’s legacy of providing invaluable assistance and resources to local residents will continue.
The Carrie Meek International Park Groundbreaking – Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport
About Becker & Poliakoff
Becker & Poliakoff, with headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is a multi-practice commercial law firm with attorneys, lobbyists and other professionals at offices across the United States. More information is available at www.bplegal.com.
