BOCA RATON, Fla. — Brightline has broken ground on its new station in Boca Raton, Fla., which will become the passenger operator’s fifth station on its route between Miami and West Palm Beach. The 38,000-square-foot station is located adjacent to the city’s library and across from Mizner Park, and is expected to be completed this fall.
“Brightline will be a game-changer for Boca Raton, and especially our downtown,” Mayor Scott Singer said in a press release marking the groundbreaking today (Jan. 25, 2022). “We look forward to welcoming the many riders who will work at our thriving businesses and visit our cultural, dining, and shopping attractions, and for our residents to connect to a major transportation network from Miami to Orlando.”
A $16.3 million federal Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement grant will help fund the station, adjacent 455-space parking garage, and related infrastructure. The City of Boca Raton is contributing $9.9 million for the parking garage, with Brightline funding the balance of the project, approximately $30 million.
The station in Boca Raton and another in Aventura are being added to the original three stops — Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach. Still to come is service to Orlando, with other stops to along that route to be determined.
The station was designed by Zyscovich Architects, with Kaufman Lynn Construction Inc. managing construction for the station and an adjacent parking garage.
If Texas Central fails to come to fruition, the “Texas Triangle” connecting Houston, Dallas and San Antonio is a potential market for Brightline to enter. Texas would make a fine addition to Brightline’s portfolio which includes Florida and the proposed Las Vegas – Los Angeles corridor.
Wow…38,000 sq.ft. What a “bright” idea for a passenger depot. Public/Private partnership at its finest.