Brightline and its construction manager Kaufman Lynn Construction, Inc., began construction on the railroad’s Boca Raton station – weeks after starting construction on the station’s parking garage.
The station will sit on a 1.8-acre site and will feature approximately 38,000-square feet of space that will include a premium lounge and autonomous MRKT. The station, designed by Zyscovich Architects, will be a cashless environment and include touchless turnstiles and high-speed Wi-Fi. Construction is expected to conclude in the fall of 2022 and will be Brightline’s fifth station on its network.
Brightline currently serves riders between Miami and West Palm Beach with the Boca Raton Station providing an additional stop between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. The passenger rail provider is 70 percent complete with its extension to Orlando and plans to take its service to Tampa in the future.
“As a premier business and leisure destination, Boca Raton is a perfect fit for Brightline and will be an integral part of our network that will further connect the state of Florida,” said Patrick Goddard, president of Brightline. “Brightline stations help enhance the local communities and economies where we operate and provide travelers with quick access to state-wide lifestyle and tourist destinations. We look forward to building a long and productive partnership with the Boca community.”
Brightline believes by offering a connection between Boca Raton and the broader Brightline system, the potential employee pool for local businesses will be bigger and potential employees will gain access to an additional 89,000 office jobs within average commute times. Brightline says the investment will continue to make Boca Raton one of the most desirable and vibrant places to live, work and visit.
“Brightline will be a game-changer for Boca Raton, and especially our downtown,” said Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer. “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.”
The project is being funded with a $16.3 million Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) grant from the Federal Railroad Administration that was awarded in 2021. Additionally, the city of Boca Raton has committed to funding $9.9 million for construction of the parking garage and Brightline will cover the approximately $30 million balance of the project.
The 455-space parking garage will include dedicated and complimentary spaces on the first floor for visitors of the downtown Boca Raton public library. In October 2021, Brightline completed construction of the new Community Garden for the Junior League of Boca Raton, as well as a temporary parking lot for the downtown library, both of which were managed and funded by Brightline as part of the agreement to build the new station.
“Kaufman Lynn Construction is excited to be building this new station and garage with Brightline, the city of Boca Raton and the Federal Railroad Administration,” said Michael Kaufman, CEO of Kaufman Lynn Construction. “The entire team is excited to help connect South Florida and Central Florida with this Brightline rail stop.”
