All Aboard Florida unveils Fort Lauderdale station

Miami — Broward County Mayor Barbara Sharief and Fort Lauderdale Mayor John P. "Jack" Seiler joined All Aboard Florida executives to reveal designs for All Aboard Florida’s new Fort Lauderdale station, which was planned and designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) in association with Zyscovich Architects. The downtown Fort Lauderdale station unveiling is the latest in a series of recent milestones and announcements made by All Aboard Florida as the project continues to 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 nearly 60,000 square foot station and platform will stimulate a currently underutilized area, driving new visitors into downtown and the surrounding cultural, economic and shopping destinations.

“Today’s Fort Lauderdale station design unveiling marks a significant milestone in the start of construction within the segment between Miami and West Palm Beach,” said Michael Reininger, President and Chief Development Officer of All Aboard Florida. “As planned, construction will commence on the segment north of West Palm Beach after the environmental impact statement process is completed.”

Providing a new gateway into the city and all of Broward County, the Fort Lauderdale station will include a modern, multi-story lobby spanning an elevated passenger lounge area for travelers, and parking facilities. The station, located between NW 2nd street and Broward Boulevard, was chosen as it provides convenient connections to the Sun Trolley, Broward County Transit system, future Wave Streetcar and planned Tri-Rail station.

“All Aboard Florida will bring new jobs, increased business opportunities and an enhanced quality of life to Fort Lauderdale. This project helps to further our ‘Fast Forward Fort Lauderdale’ plan for the future, which includes becoming a fully connected ‘City of Tomorrow’ that is anchored by alternative modes of transportation and allows for less reliance on vehicles,” said Fort Lauderdale Mayor John P. "Jack" Seiler. “This exciting project will also assist in our downtown redevelopment and, from a tourism standpoint, this new mode of transportation should bring visitors right to our front door and allow us to showcase our many attractions and destinations.”

“Fort Lauderdale is a dynamic city whose leadership understands the importance of creating new opportunities and solutions that keep up with the needs and demands of our increasingly mobile world,” added All Aboard Florida’s Michael Reininger. “As with our other planned stations in South Florida, All Aboard Florida will not only set a new standard in passenger rail, but will revitalize Fort Lauderdale’s downtown core, fueling job and business growth, reducing road congestion, increasing tourism, delivering state and local tax revenues and contributing long-term environmental benefits.”

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 with ready access to places to shop, eat and connect. As part of the urban infrastructure of each area, 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.

“All Aboard Florida’s Fort Lauderdale station will not only stimulate our local economy and drive consumers to the area, but will also create thousands of direct jobs during construction and implementation for locals and cities along the route,” said Broward County Mayor Barbara Sharief. “All Aboard Florida will bring significant opportunities to Broward County and enable our local businesses to thrive in a global marketplace.”

"Herein lies an excellent opportunity for Fort Lauderdale's urban vitality to be further enhanced by direct and efficient connectivity to the hubs of Orlando and Downtown Miami,” said Bernard Zyscovich, CEO and Founder of Zyscovich Architects. “This 21st century, central station will be a catalyst for redevelopment along the western edge of downtown Fort Lauderdale."