BOCA RATON, FL – September 24, 2020 –
The City of Boca Raton was recently awarded a $16,350,000 grant from the US Department of Transportation (DOT). The Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) grant funds will be used for the construction of the Brightline Train Station and corresponding parking garage, which was approved to be built on the east side of Boca Raton’s Downtown Library.
As part of the grant agreement, the City will provide a local match not to exceed $9.9 million with an additional match to be funded by Brightline. The $46 million project, which is anticipated to open in mid-2022, will bring positive economic benefits and jobs during a critical time of Covid-19 recovery and reopening, as well as long term. The project is expected to create nearly 500 new construction jobs and nearly 40 permanent jobs in the City and will provide increased mobility to regional jobs as well.
“This major grant from the Federal Railroad Administration will improve mobility, connectivity, and safety, while reducing emissions," noted Mayor Scott Singer. “The public-private partnership we’ve created and developed with Brightline will advance the long-term future of our thriving, progressive city. Many residents and businesses see this opportunity as a game changer for Boca Raton."
Mayor Singer also expressed his thanks for USDOT Secretary Elaine Chao, Senator Rick Scott, Senator Marco Rubio, Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, Congressman Ted Deutch and Congresswoman Lois Frankel, all of whom were strong advocates of the grant.
Brightline will build the train station on a 1.8-acre site near Palmetto Park Road and Dixie Highway, as a rail-ready connection to the $4 billion, 170-mile intercity train system. The City will fund most of the of the design and construction of a 455-car parking garage for train guests and the public.
“This is an important milestone for the Boca Raton station, and we are thankful for our Florida elected officials who supported this effort,” said Patrick Goddard, President of Brightline. “Boca Raton is a key component of our future system, and this station will serve as a catalyst for economic growth by creating jobs and bringing new visitors and spending to the area.”
About Brightline: Brightline is the first privately funded passenger rail system in America in over a century. Brightline is designed to reinvent travel and take cars off the road by connecting city pairs and congested corridors that are too close to fly and too long to drive. Providing fast, efficient, hospitality-driven transportation featuring the latest in customer-friendly amenities, Brightline currently operates in Florida between Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, with plans to expand to Orlando, Boca Raton, Aventura and PortMiami. The company is also on track to break ground between Las Vegas and Southern California in 2020.
About Boca Raton: Boca Raton, the second largest city in the Palm Beaches, is a community where history and innovation come together. Boca Raton was built around an elegant Mediterranean Revival style that later grew into a vibrant city full of rich art and culture. From live concerts and international art exhibits to outdoor festivals and world-class museums, Boca Raton's dynamic cultural scene offers unique experiences for all ages. Boca Raton has five miles of beautiful Atlantic coastline and 46 parks with 1,650 acres of recreational space to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle.
Boca Raton also has a thriving business community that was pioneered from the development of the personal computer (PC) at the Boca Raton-based IBM campus in 1967. Today, over 30 corporate headquarters, from innovative startups to large corporations, call the City of Boca Raton home. The Boca Raton Airport offers a customs facility that welcomes travelers from all over the world, conveniently putting them minutes away from business centers, entertainment, world-class dining and one of South Florida’s top luxury shopping malls that features a mix of upscale specialty shops and department stores.
Boca Raton has three nationally ranked universities and an abundance of A-rated public and private K-12 schools that ingrain education, research and innovation into the community. With a homegrown, educated workforce to build from, entrepreneurs and startups thrive in Boca Raton’s climate.
A true “full service” city, Boca Raton is consistently recognized for being one of the safest cities to live in and for having one of the lowest property tax rates for a full-service city in Florida. Boca Raton is an outstanding place to live, work, learn and play.
Contact:
Chrissy Gibson
Communications Manager
cgibson@myboca.us
561-901-3886
