All Aboard Florida begins construction on Ft. Lauderdale Station

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
image description
All Aboard Florida

October 29, 2014, marked the start of construction for All Aboard Florida's downtown Fort Lauderdale station. The existing building was demolished so construction on the nearly 60,000-square-foot station and platform can begin.

 

This represents the first groundbreaking for one of its three South Florida stations along the Miami-to-Orlando corridor and is the latest in a series of significant milestones as plans for the highly-anticipated project move forward.

The Fort Lauderdale station will be located on 4.8 acres of land adjacent to the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) corridor on NW 2nd Avenue, between Broward Boulevard and NW 4th Street. Located at the northern end of downtown Fort Lauderdale, the station will stimulate a currently underutilized area, driving new visitors into downtown and the surrounding cultural, economic and shopping destinations.

“Today marks the start of progress on what will be one of the most transformative, history-making endeavors for Fort Lauderdale and the State of Florida,” said Michael Reininger, president and chief development officer of All Aboard Florida. “Now that construction has begun, Broward County is one step closer to becoming a more mobile, connected region that will realize the economic and environmental benefits from the creation of thousands of jobs during construction, expanded business opportunities and an enhanced quality of life.”

Providing a new gateway into the city and all of Broward County, the Fort Lauderdale station was planned and designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP in association with Zyscovich Architects and includes a modern, multi-story lobby spanning an elevated passenger lounge area for travelers and parking facilities. The station location was chosen as it provides convenient connections to the Sun Trolley, Broward County Transit system, future Wave Streetcar and the planned Tri-Rail station.

Each of All Aboard Florida’s three planned stations in South Florida – Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach – will serve as both gateways to their respective cities and as key portals and iconic destinations. The stations are expected to generate significant economic impact to the state. Economists estimate that All Aboard Florida will add more than $6 billion to Florida’s economy over the next eight years, including $333 million in economic impact for Broward County through 2021. Nearly 800 jobs will be created in Broward County through the construction of the station and the rail line.

 

Tags: