FoundCare nearing completion at 3501 Broadway; CRA approves redesign of incubation and restaurant space

FoundCare CEO Chris Azeri told the Riviera Beach Community Redevelopment Agency that construction on the new FoundCare health center at 3501 Broadway is nearly complete and the organization anticipates a ribbon-cutting in mid-June.

Azeri said the project will include about 20,000 square feet of building space, with roughly 15,000 square feet dedicated to clinical services and 5,000 square feet set aside for the CRA to use as incubator, administrative and restaurant space. "The mission of FoundCare ... is to provide quality health care and social services for all individuals and families," Azeri said, describing the center as a federally qualified health center that will serve patients with and without insurance.

The CRA-approved redesign covers the 5,000-square-foot CRA/co-op/restaurant portion of the building. The agency voted unanimously, 5-0, to approve resolution 202508, which modifies the contract with Stiles Architectural Group to redesign the incubation, administrative and restaurant spaces. Anita Jenkins, director of neighborhood services, said Stiles Architecture was the firm retained by FoundCare and that the CRA engaged the firm for a seamless design process for the CRA-occupied portion.

FoundCare gave several project and funding details to the board. The original construction contract was about $10.2 million; change orders approached $920,000, bringing the project budget "closer to $12 million," Azeri said. FoundCare's contribution to the project is $3.1 million; private foundations have provided about $7.8 million, and the organization expects to spend roughly $1 million on equipment and supplies.

Azeri described the facility's planned services: adult medicine, pediatrics, women's health including prenatal and postpartum care, behavioral health (psychiatry and therapy), dentistry, pharmacy and an on-site laboratory. He also said a FoundCare mobile van dedicated to Riviera Beach has treated 1,020 unique patients for 1,451 visits since May 2023, with about 32% of those patients coming from Riviera Beach ZIP codes.

Board members and staff clarified how the CRA portion of the building will be handled. Jadel Mercius, CRA executive director, said the CRA will sublease and is responsible for designing and activating its allocated 5,000 square feet; FoundCare built the shell. Jenkins told the board the CRA space will not open at the same time as FoundCare and that staff will install window wraps or other attractive coverings and signage while the CRA area is being completed: "We will put in some art wrap or window coverings ... that says coming soon, CRA offices, restaurant space, etc.," she said.

Commissioners asked for additional factual items that staff agreed to provide later, including exact lot size and the footprint. A commissioner estimated the parcel at about 2 to 2.25 acres; FoundCare confirmed the building footprint is approximately 10,000 square feet on the first floor and noted the site includes a sizable retention pond.

The board approved the Stiles contract modification 5-0 (Commissioner Davis Paneer: yes; Commissioner Guyton: yes; Vice Chair Mila Anderson: yes; Commissioner Spiritis: yes; Chair Shirley Lanier: yes). Staff said construction drawings will begin once the architects receive direction and that procurement will advertise for a general contractor for the CRA build-out.

The CRA and FoundCare representatives told commissioners they will circulate a firm ribbon-cutting date once final inspections and minor contractor items are complete; staff estimated mid-June as the latest likely date.

Ending: The FoundCare center will provide a wide range of primary and specialty services intended to address noted health disparities in Riviera Beach; the CRA will occupy and manage the 5,000-square-foot incubator space and will move forward with contractor procurement and interior design now that the architectural modification is approved.