Brightline ready to expand rail system to Tampa

[thelakelander]

Hopefully Jax's leadership is lobbying heavily for it."

Unfortunately, I doubt it. We have leaders who actually believe AVs running down Bay Street will put Jax on the map and attract millennials to DT.

[bl8jaxnative]

Not sure if it's in the article (behind paywall), but the Virgin VP said they already own land near the potential Cocoa station, so that is a big selling point, but the potential for St. Augustine/Jax/Daytona was definitely another factor.

It's is _thee_ selling point.  A key part of their gamble is making big bucks off of real estate.

[bl8jaxnative]

I believe the Boca Raton station was approved yesterday.

https://cbs12.com/news/local/boca-raton-city-council-considers-brightline-train-station

yes - at least Boca Raton struck a good deal. Miami-Dade County has agreed to pay $76 million so a station can be built in Aventura - so much for "privately funded" rail.

hahaha.... that's been part of the scheme the whole time.   Virgin invoke "private" but they're more than happy to make use of the public purse for their own gain.

[thelakelander]

^That's the way it works. The system can be privately owned and operated. However, that doesn't mean if a public entity wants in on the action that they won't then toss in some extra money for their benefit. Assuming the Boca Station is a success, it's extra tax revenue (the TOD) for the city and direct access to a privately operated passenger rail system already traveling through the city. That access means better livability for Boca's residents and potential new consumers for its downtown retailers and businesses. In a sense, is it really different from building a road to land a shopping mall, warehouse or manufacturer promising to create higher paying jobs? Jax should be doing the same right now with the Prime Osborn and Amtrak.

[MusicMan]

Virgin Trains/Brightline and the upcoming Super Bowl will be a very interesting marketing extravaganza.

[tufsu1]

^ Average hotel room price of $500/night in Miami will be also

[MusicMan]

Folks who go to  the Super Bowl are not sweating a $500 room.

[Pottsburg]

A lot of the people who go down for the Super Bowl will be staying at the new Hard Rock in Ft Lauderdale. It's a little west of town but then again the stadium is as well. Both are not near the track.

[tufsu1]

Folks who go to  the Super Bowl are not sweating a $500 room.

maybe not - but if you're planning to be in Miami for other reason that week (like say work), it might matter

[MusicMan]

There are supposedly 31,000 hotel rooms in Greater Ft Lauderdale, so adding Dade County and Palm Beach County they should be fine.

My kids rode the Polar Express Train event earlier today and loved it!

[bl8jaxnative]

^That's the way it works. The system can be privately owned and operated. However, that doesn't mean if a public entity wants in on the action that they won't then toss in some extra money for their benefit. Assuming the Boca Station is a success, it's extra tax revenue (the TOD) for the city and direct access to a privately operated passenger rail system already traveling through the city. That access means better livability for Boca's residents and potential new consumers for its downtown retailers and businesses. In a sense, is it really different from building a road to land a shopping mall, warehouse or manufacturer promising to create higher paying jobs? Jax should be doing the same right now with the Prime Osborn and Amtrak.

Oh it's just like those which is exactly the issue.   Most of the deals are bad investments and bad for the public. 

[Pottsburg]

https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/news/21119987/fl-virgin-trains-expands-in-florida-will-it-ever-reach-jacksonville?fbclid=IwAR0nOdEfkHP9fKCYTlxgigjeMzyYOPO2GVkukbn5zAmFs-Fv3i7abXH1bqQ

[thelakelander]

Cool. I see some of it has been edited to the point where the transition from Virgin to the Lakeland Amtrak station
economic development example is missing. 

[bl8jaxnative]

A lil' bit on Brightline

https://soundcloud.com/user-312824194/conversations-with-brian-solomon-episode-37

[bl8jaxnative]

Anyone know what happens if Virgin doesn't meet the March 31st deadline with Florida DOT for the Tampa extension?   They've had a couple.


https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2020/01/23/heres-the-latest-on-virgin-trains-planned-disney.html