All Aboard Florida begins West Palm Beach Station construction

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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All Aboard Florida

November 12 marked the start of construction for All Aboard Florida's downtown West Palm Beach station. The existing building was demolished so construction on the approximately 60,000-sq.-ft. station and platform can begin.

 

This marks the start of construction on the second of its three South Florida stations along the Miami-to-Orlando corridor and is the latest in a series of significant milestones for the highly-anticipated passenger rail project that will revolutionize travel throughout Florida.

The West Palm Beach station will be located on two acres of land adjacent to the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) corridor on Quadrille Boulevard, between Datura and Evernia Streets. Located in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach, the station will be located near CityPlace mixed use development, the shops and restaurants of Clematis Street and several arts institutions, such as the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. The station will drive new visitors and tourists directly into the shops and attractions of the downtown area and serve as a transportation hub so those visitors can reach cultural, economic and shopping destinations throughout Palm Beach County.

“All Aboard Florida will be transformative for West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County and the state of Florida, marking a new and exciting beginning for rail travel and the regions it will serve,” said Michael Reininger, president and chief development officer of All Aboard Florida. “Palm Beach County is now one step closer to becoming part of a more mobile, connected region that will feel the economic benefits from the creation of thousands of jobs during construction and expanded business and tourism opportunities.”

Providing a new gateway into the city and all of Palm Beach County, the West Palm Beach station was planned and designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP in association with Zyscovich Architects and will include a modern, multi-story lobby spanning an elevated passenger lounge area for travelers and parking facilities. The station, located between Datura and Evernia Streets, was chosen as it provides nearby connections to the Palm Beach County’s countywide transit system known as Palm Tran, the downtown West Palm Beach trolley system and the downtown West Palm Beach Tri-Rail station.

“This train station will not only spur the future economic growth of downtown West Palm Beach but of Palm Beach County as a whole,” said Palm Beach County Mayor Priscilla Taylor. “This new rail system will serve as a gateway to our county, welcoming more residents, tourists and businesses.”

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.

 

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