All Aboard Florida unveils plans for tower beside downtown station

finehoe · June 04, 2015, 12:58:47 PM

WEST PALM BEACH — All Aboard Florida's conceptual plan for a rail-side apartment tower would rise 23 floors above Evernia Street, with 275 rentals in a moderate price range.

The project's broad outlines, revealed in an open house for local residents Tuesday, represent a first step in the development process that remains open to public suggestions and several months away from the required government approvals.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/local/all-aboard-florida-unveils-plans-for-tower-beside-/nmTHd/

spuwho · June 05, 2015, 12:53:26 AM

It looks great in conception, but it will somewhat dwarf the surrounding features of the Evernia/Datura/Clematis district. Who knows what the area will look like 20 years from now?

But the idea is clear, Flagler wants Miami urbanites to consider the train ride from West Palm.

It will be interesting to see what "sprouts" up in Ft Lauderdale.

tpot · July 15, 2015, 03:08:52 PM

Update on All Aboard Florida

http://miami.curbed.com/archives/2015/07/15/all-aboard-florida-downtown-miami-construction-update.php

spuwho · July 16, 2015, 02:30:14 PM

Quote from: tpot on July 15, 2015, 03:08:52 PM
Update on All Aboard Florida

http://miami.curbed.com/archives/2015/07/15/all-aboard-florida-downtown-miami-construction-update.php

Thanks for posting this. Lots of videos included.

AAF has been producing more "on site" videos lately.

The details on the residential towers over the tracks was interesting. Having the CEO talk while standing next to the Metromover was a nice touch.

tpot · July 16, 2015, 05:02:46 PM

Yeah I thought the fact they are building two residential towers and office towers over the tracks was pretty cool......residential towers are planned for stops in Ft Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. I'm sure Orlando will be doing the same. A funny fact is this train station is being built in the same exact location of the original downtown train station that was torn down 52 years ago.......this location remained a surface parking lot for 52 years......

finehoe · July 16, 2015, 08:45:47 PM

Quote from: tpot on July 16, 2015, 05:02:46 PM
A funny fact is this train station is being built in the same exact location of the original downtown train station that was torn down 52 years ago.......this location remained a surface parking lot for 52 years......

Very cool.

tpot · July 16, 2015, 09:43:43 PM

Maybe someday ABF will connect to Jacksonville, I would imagine Tampa would be connected first.....at this point Jacksonville just isn't a tourist destination compared to the rest of the state......

Ocklawaha · July 16, 2015, 10:00:06 PM

Quote from: tpot on July 16, 2015, 09:43:43 PM
Maybe someday ABF will connect to Jacksonville, I would imagine Tampa would be connected first.....at this point Jacksonville just isn't a tourist destination compared to the rest of the state......

Jacksonville is on the same parent company's track, Tampa is not.

UNFurbanist · July 16, 2015, 10:44:00 PM

Ya I think Jax would be connected before Tampa simply because it would be easier to get the rail access. That being said Tampa would be a highly profitable market so I think they will eventually figure that route out if the first leg is successful and connect the whole state. This is why we need to get started on making Jacksonville terminal accessible again so AAF can stop right in downtown and maybe bring some development with it. Also as far as tourism goes I think it could make some good sense expanding north because you would then have Daytona and St. Augustine connected as well which are pretty big tourist destinations.

thelakelander · July 17, 2015, 07:29:00 AM

They already have filed the paperwork for AAF Jacksonville Segment LLC. It's only a matter of time, assuming the Orlando/Miami leg is a success. Just another reason to get the convention center out of the old terminal, IMO.

UNFurbanist · July 17, 2015, 10:34:33 AM

^No doubt! Plus with the Brooklyn developments being right next door I bet that empty convention center space and surrounding empty lots would be eyed by AAF for a big mixed use development.

thelakelander · July 17, 2015, 11:21:06 AM

^Which would be a win for both AAF and Jax! For everyone who wants to see some passenger rail investment happen in Jax anytime soon, AAF is probably your best chance. No, it wouldn't be streetcar, LRT or commuter rail, but even intercity rail with stops in DT Jax and St. Augustine presents and opportunity for TOD around those locations and helps feed riders into our Skyway and future BRT systems.

tpot · July 17, 2015, 03:24:51 PM

Seems like AAF connecting to JAX would be a train to nowhere.....tourists come to Orlando, Tampa and South Florida......what are they going to step off the train to??? A bustling downtown?? The beaches don't compare to the West coast or South Florida and shopping is better everywhere besides Jacksonvillle......

thelakelander · July 17, 2015, 03:29:08 PM

^Only if you look at Florida as the only state in the US. Jax's challenge is to get its transit act together, so if something like this did come along, people could actually get to a few places outside of the train station. Both Tampa and Orlando have the same challenge now.

tpot · July 17, 2015, 04:16:22 PM

AAF is a HUGE opportunity for JAX, but the city really needs to get it together.......I know many think that a cheap apartment building in Riverside is the second coming, but that just shows what a disaster this city is when it comes to investment and development, especially when you compare it to the rest of the state....and the country....