HLCI Breaks Ground on Carter Crossing, a 1+ Million SF Industrial Development in South Fort Worth’s High-Growth Corridor – The Business Press

Project Report: Carter Crossing Industrial Development and Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

This report details the Carter Crossing industrial development project initiated by Holt Lunsford Commercial Investments (HLCI) in Fort Worth, Texas. The project, a 1,010,565 SF Class A industrial park, represents a significant investment in regional infrastructure and economic growth. The development directly aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). By providing modern industrial facilities, the project is poised to create jobs, foster sustainable industrialization, and enhance the resilience of the local economy.

Project Overview and Specifications

Location and Strategic Importance

Carter Crossing is strategically located at 6901 Wichita Street, Fort Worth, Texas, within a premier industrial submarket. Its position offers direct and unimpeded access to major transportation corridors, including I-20. This connectivity is crucial for efficient logistics and distribution, contributing to a more sustainable supply chain by reducing transit times and potential emissions. The location supports local and regional economic integration, a key target of SDG 9.

Development Details

The development consists of three Class A buildings designed to accommodate a diverse range of tenants, from logistics to advanced manufacturing. Construction commenced in 2025 with a projected completion date of August 2026.

• Building 1: 162,862 SF of modern industrial space.
• Building 2: 142,737 SF designed for mid-sized industrial operations.
• Building 3: 704,966 SF facility suitable for large-scale logistics or advanced manufacturing.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The Carter Crossing project is a significant driver for local economic growth and job creation. Its contribution to SDG 8 includes:

1. Job Creation: The project generates employment opportunities during its construction phase and will support long-term jobs in logistics, manufacturing, and facility management upon completion.
2. Economic Diversification: By attracting diverse industrial tenants, the development helps diversify the local economy, making it more resilient to economic fluctuations.
3. Investment Stimulation: As part of HLCI’s nearly $1 billion development portfolio in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, this project signals strong investor confidence, encouraging further investment in the region.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

This development directly addresses the need for resilient infrastructure and sustainable industrialization as outlined in SDG 9.

• Infrastructure Upgrade: The construction of over 1 million SF of Class A industrial space represents a major upgrade to the region’s logistical and industrial infrastructure.
• Support for Modern Industry: The facilities are designed to support advanced manufacturing and modern logistics, promoting innovation and higher-value economic activities.
• Enhanced Connectivity: The strategic location improves access to regional and national markets, fostering inclusive and sustainable industrialization by enabling businesses to operate more efficiently.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

By developing industrial capacity in a strategic submarket, the project contributes to the creation of inclusive, safe, and resilient urban environments.

• Strengthening the Urban Economy: The development provides essential space for businesses that form the backbone of the urban and regional economy, attracting major corporations and supporting supply chains.
• Efficient Land Use: Concentrating industrial activity in a well-connected submarket promotes efficient land use and helps prevent urban sprawl, supporting more sustainable urban planning.
• Resilient Economic Base: By accommodating key industries, the project enhances the economic resilience of the Fort Worth community, ensuring its long-term viability.

Market Analysis and Strategic Vision

South Fort Worth Market Dynamics

The south Fort Worth industrial market demonstrates strong fundamentals, indicating sustained demand for high-quality industrial facilities. Market data from Q3 2025 shows healthy absorption rates, with leasing activity projected to reduce vacancy to approximately 9%. This confirms that the Carter Crossing development meets a critical market need, aligning its commercial objectives with regional economic development goals.

Long-Term Commitment and Partnerships (SDG 17)

According to Matt Carthey, partner at HLC, the project’s competitive advantage lies in its Class A environment combined with unimpeded access to I-20. Hutton Lunsford, CIO at HLCI, framed the development as part of a broader strategy to become a top developer in Texas, demonstrating a long-term commitment to the communities in which it operates. The project’s financing by Comerica Bank exemplifies a successful partnership between development and financial institutions, a crucial component of achieving the SDGs (SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the Carter Crossing industrial park development primarily addresses SDGs related to economic growth, infrastructure, and urban development. The following SDGs are connected to the issues discussed:

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The article focuses on a major commercial investment intended to stimulate economic activity by attracting large corporations and supporting business operations, which in turn fosters job creation and economic growth in the Fort Worth area.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – The core subject of the article is the construction of a large-scale, modern industrial infrastructure project. This development is designed to support logistics, distribution, and advanced manufacturing, directly contributing to industrialization and the enhancement of regional infrastructure.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The project represents a significant investment in urban infrastructure, contributing to the economic development of the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metropolitan area. It is part of a broader strategic plan for regional development, impacting market dynamics like leasing activity and vacancy rates.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the details provided, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Under SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors.
     
     The article highlights that Carter Crossing is designed for “a diverse range of modern industrial tenants, from logistics and distribution to advanced manufacturing operations.” The development of “Class A” industrial space is intended to attract major corporations and support high-value operations, thereby boosting the region’s economic productivity.
2. Under SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
     
     The project involves building a “three-building, Class A, 1,010,565 SF industrial park.” The article emphasizes its quality and strategic location, which offers “exceptional connectivity through direct access to I-20, with zero impediments to major thoroughfares,” making it a reliable infrastructure asset designed to support economic development.
3. Under SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.a: Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning.
     
     The development is described as part of a “larger vision to become one of the top developers in Texas” with a strategic presence across DFW, Austin, and Houston. The investment of nearly “$1 billion in development activity in DFW alone” demonstrates a significant contribution to regional development planning aimed at strengthening the economic base of the Fort Worth urban area.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article contains several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• For SDG 8 (Target 8.2):
  • Total Investment Value: The article states the firm is “just shy of $1 billion in development activity across the Dallas-Fort Worth area.” This figure serves as a direct indicator of the scale of investment aimed at boosting economic productivity.
  • Attraction of Major Corporations: The mention that the submarket has “attracted major corporations, including tire giant Continental and food company Conagra” is a qualitative indicator of the area’s success in fostering economic activity and diversification.
• For SDG 9 (Target 9.1):
  • Scale of New Infrastructure: The total size of the development, “1,010,565 SF,” is a direct measure of the new industrial infrastructure being created.
  • Infrastructure Connectivity: The description of “direct access to I-20, with zero impediments to major thoroughfares” serves as a qualitative indicator of the infrastructure’s quality and reliability for supporting logistics and transport.
• For SDG 11 (Target 11.a):
  • Market Absorption Rate: The figure “375,659 SF of absorption in the third quarter of 2025” is a specific indicator used to measure the demand for and economic viability of new urban developments, reflecting the strength of regional planning.
  • Vacancy Rate: The projection that leasing activity could “reduce vacancy rates to approximately 9%” is an indicator of healthy market conditions and effective urban economic development.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: fortworthbusiness.com