Create an entity as a Developer?

[Jared W Smith]

I am strongly consideration going the route of purchasing distressed and/or vacant properties (commercial, factory, warehouse, multi-family, etc.) for development in an effort to restore neighborhoods. If I am helping to partially financing them but bring on other investors that support my plan/idea (I don't know if they will be partners or purely financial backers), does that make me essentially a developer? Doesn't seem like a business venture I should undertake without forming an entity for the legality of it all.