|
Amtrak
- FEC Corridor Project |
|
|
For more than twenty years, Council has been
involved in efforts to restore passenger service on the
Florida East Coast (FEC) Corridor (see history below). Most
recently, Council has participated in development of the
state-initiated “Amtrak/FEC Corridor Project”
to enable Amtrak to operate passenger train service on the
FEC corridor between Jacksonville and Miami with new stations
in eight cities:
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St. Augustine |
|
| |
Daytona Beach |
|
| |
Titusville |
|
| |
Cocoa |
|
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Melbourne |
|
| |
Vero Beach |
|
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Fort Pierce |
|
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Stuart |
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|
 Image:
Flagler Museum Website
|
|
Schedule of Public Workshops and City Commission/Council Meetings |
| There
are currently no workshops or hearings scheduled in the immediate
future for the project. Please check back for more information. |
| |
|
Federal Stimulus Funding Application |
| |
The
2008 US elections brought with them a shift in Federal priorities
and a heightened emphasis on transit as a growing part of
the national transportation network. The US government has
funded transit at the national level since the 1950s, with
the total Federal investment increasing annually over time.
With the Obama administration, transit in all forms, from
high speed and intercity passenger rail to trolleys and buses,
has been identified for significant funding increases at the
Federal level, particularly as a key component of the 2009
Federal stimulus package (termed ARRA, or American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act of 2009), which allocated $787 Billion
towards projects and programs to stimulate the US economy.
One new program under the ARRA is the "High Speed / Intercity
Passenger Rail" (HSIPR) program, which authorized an
initial $8 Billion for eligible projects across the nation.
FDOT submitted four projects for this first round of funding,
for which applications were due in October 2009, but only
one Florida project (partial funding for the high speed rail
segment from Tampa to Orlando) was selected for funding. |
|
| |
| FDOT
summary of all Federal economic stimulus applications |
| |
| October
2009 FDOT grant application for the Amtrak/FEC Corridor Project
(warning: 37 MB PDF download) |
| 2010
HSIPR Funding Application – Amtrak/FEC Corridor Project |
| |
| Top of Page |
| |
| Resolutions
and Letters of Support |
|
| |
| The Amtrak/FEC
Corridor Project has received support from a broad range
of local governments, MPO/TPOs, regional planning councils,
agencies, business organizations (such as chambers of
commerce, tourist development councils, hotel/motel associations,
realtor associations, economic development agencies, and
others), neighborhood associations, citizens groups, and
individuals. The project has also received support from
statewide organizations such as the Florida League of
Cities, the Florida Association of Counties, the Florida
Regional Councils Association, and the statewide MPO Advisory
Council. To date, Council has received copies of 160 resolutions
and letters (see below) along with more than 1,100 petition
letters from the public, all of which have been forwarded
to the offices of Florida’s Governor and the FDOT
Secretary. In addition, the 2010 HSIPR project application
includes letters of support from Governor Crist; US Senators
LeMieux and Nelson; US Representatives Hastings, Klein,
Kosmas, Posey, Rooney, and Wasserman-Schultz; Florida
Senators Altman and Negron; and Florida Representative
Snyder. |
|
| |
| Adopted
Resolutions and Letters of Support as of March 2010 |
| |
|
County |
Resolution# |
Date
Adopted |
| 1 |
Beachside
Neighborhood Watch |
Volusia |
letter |
14-Jan-10 |
| 2 |
Belle Glade, City of |
Palm Beach |
2009-2744
|
15-Jun-09 |
| 3 |
Boca Raton, City of |
Palm Beach |
54-2009 |
14-Apr-09 |
| 4 |
Boynton Beach, City of |
Palm Beach |
09-090 |
7-Jul-09 |
| 5 |
Brevard Community College |
Brevard |
letter |
16-Sep-09 |
| 6 |
Brevard County Government (BOCC) |
Brevard |
09-184 |
15-Sep-09 |
| 7 |
Brevard
Workforce Development Board, Inc. |
Brevard |
letter |
9-Sep-09 |
| 8 |
Bunnell,
City of |
Flagler |
2009-11 |
7-Jul-09 |
| 9 |
Business
Development Board of Martin
County |
Martin |
09-0506 |
8-May-09 |
| 10 |
Canaveral Port Authority |
Brevard |
2009-04 |
19-Aug-09 |
| 11 |
Cape
Canaveral,
City of |
Brevard |
2009-29 |
1-Sep-09 |
| 12 |
Central
Florida MPO Alliance |
Brevard, Lake Marion, Orange,
Osceola, Polk, Seminole, Sumpter
& Volusia |
|
16-Oct-09 |
| 13 |
City
of Melbourne Airport
Authority |
Brevard |
9-09 |
16-Sep-09 |
| 14 |
Cloud Lake, Town of |
Palm Beach |
9-01 |
13-Aug-09 |
| 15 |
Cocoa Beach Area Chamber of Commerce |
Brevard |
9-9-2009 |
9-Sep-09 |
| 16 |
Cocoa
Beach Area Hotel & Lodging Association |
Brevard |
letter |
1-Sep-09 |
| 17 |
Cocoa, City of |
Brevard |
2009-64 |
23-Jun-09 |
| 18 |
Cocoa Beach, City of |
Brevard |
2009-31 |
17-Sep-09 |
| 19 |
Cocoa Main Street (Greater Cocoa Community Partnership) |
Brevard |
09-01 |
23-Sep-09 |
| 20 |
Cocoa
Redevelopment Agency |
Brevard |
09-01 |
1-Sep-09 |
| 21 |
Crist,
Charlie - Governor |
Florida |
letter |
5-Aug-09 |
| 22 |
Daytona Beach, City of |
Volusia |
09-241 |
9-Sep-09 |
| 23 |
Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau |
Volusia |
letter |
17-Dec-09 |
| 24 |
Daytona Beach "Save Our Neighborhoods" |
Volusia |
letter |
12-Jan-10 |
| 25 |
Davie, Town of |
Broward |
2009-134 |
3-Jun-09 |
| 26 |
Delray Beach, City of |
Palm Beach |
19-09 |
21-Apr-09 |
| 27 |
Delray
Beach CRA |
Palm Beach |
09-02 |
28-May-09 |
| 28 |
Economic
Council of Martin County |
Martin |
09-2009 |
8-May-09 |
| 29 |
Economic
Development Commission
of Florida's
Space Coast |
Brevard |
letter |
31-Aug-09 |
| 30 |
East
Central Florida
Regional Planning Council |
Orange,
Seminole, Brevard,
Lake, Osceola
& Volusia |
letter |
22-Jul-09 |
| 31 |
Enterprise
Flagler (economic development collaborative) |
Flagler |
09-04 |
27-May-09 |
| 32 |
Fellsmere,
City of |
Indian River |
09-H |
16-Apr-09 |
| 33 |
Flagler County Chamber of Commerce |
Flagler |
2009-01 |
29-May-09 |
| 34 |
Flagler County Government (BOCC) |
Flagler |
2009-24 |
18-May-09 |
| 35 |
Flagler County Palm Coast Homebuilders |
Flagler |
09-01 |
7-May-09 |
| 36 |
Florida Association of Counties |
State-Wide |
letter |
23-Jun-09 |
| 37 |
Florida High Tech Corridor Council |
23-County Service Area
of USF, UCF & UF |
letter |
30-Sep-09 |
| 38 |
Florida Historical Society |
State-Wide |
letter |
2-Oct-09 |
| 39 |
Florida MPO Advisory Council |
State-Wide |
letter |
5-Aug-09 |
| 40 |
Florida Regional Councils Association |
State-Wide |
09-01 |
25-Jun-09 |
| 41 |
Fort Lauderdale, City of |
Broward |
09-140 |
2-Jun-09 |
| 42 |
Fort Pierce, City of |
St. Lucie |
09-25 |
6-Apr-09 |
| 43 |
Fort
Pierce Redevelopment Agency |
St. Lucie |
letter |
24-Aug-09 |
| 44 |
Greenacres,
City of |
Palm Beach |
2009-15
|
1-Jun-09 |
| 45 |
Gulf
Stream,
Town of |
Palm Beach |
009-2 |
9-Apr-09 |
| 46 |
Halifax Area Advertising Authority |
Volusia |
letter |
17-Dec-09 |
| 47 |
Hobe
Sound Chamber of Commerce |
Martin |
2009-1 |
18-May-09 |
| 48 |
Hotel
& Lodging Association of Volusia
County |
Volusia |
letter |
17-Dec-09 |
| 49 |
Hypoluxo,
Town of |
Palm Beach |
09-371 |
15-Apr-09 |
| 50 |
Indian
River
Chamber of Commerce |
Indian River |
09-5 |
18-May-09 |
| 51 |
Indian
River County Government (BOCC) |
Indian River |
2009-120 |
18-Aug-09 |
| 52 |
Indian
River County MPO |
Indian River |
2009-05 |
8-Jul-09 |
| 53 |
Indian River Shores, Town of |
Indian River |
09-02 |
25-Jun-09 |
| 54 |
International Speedway Boulevard (ISB) Coalition |
Volusia |
letter |
10-Feb-10 |
| 55 |
Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce |
Duval |
resolution |
30-Sep-09 |
| 56 |
Jacksonville Transportation Authority |
Duval |
2009-20 |
25-Jun-09 |
| 57 |
Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce |
Martin |
5-19-09 |
19-May-09 |
| 58 |
Juno Beach, Town of |
Palm Beach |
2009-09 |
22-Apr-09 |
| 59 |
Jupiter,
Town of |
Palm Beach |
16-09 |
7-Apr-09 |
| 60 |
Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex |
Brevard |
letter |
16-Sep-09 |
| 61 |
Lantana,
Town of |
Palm Beach |
R-07-2009 |
22-Jun-09 |
| 62 |
Malabar,
Town of |
Brevard |
09-2009 |
18-May-09 |
| 63 |
Main Street Vero Beach |
Indian River |
09-08 |
8-Sep-09 |
| 64 |
Maitland,
City of |
Orange |
letter |
11-Aug-09 |
| 65 |
Mangonia Park, Town of |
Palm Beach |
09-05 |
16-Jun-09 |
| 66 |
Margate, City of |
Broward |
11-460 |
5-Jun-09 |
67 |
Martin County Countywide
Redevelopment Advisory Committee |
Martin |
|
29-Jul-09 |
| 68 |
Martin County Convention & Visitors' Bureau |
Martin |
09-5-6-2009 |
6-May-09 |
| 69 |
Martin County Government (BOCC) |
Martin |
09-5.34 |
19-May-09 |
| 70 |
Martin
County MPO |
Martin |
letter |
18-May-09 |
| 71 |
Martin County Economic Council |
Martin |
09-2009 |
8-May-09 |
| 72 |
Martin County Tourist Development Council |
Martin |
2009 |
10-Jun-09 |
| 73 |
Melbourne, City of |
Brevard |
3060 |
12-May-09 |
| 74 |
Merritt
Island Redevelopment Agency |
Brevard |
letter |
24-Sep-09 |
| 75 |
Merritt
Square Mall |
Brevard |
letter |
21-Sep-09 |
| 76 |
Metroplan
Orlando |
Orange, Osceola & Seminole |
09-20 |
12-Aug-09 |
| 77 |
New
Smyrna Beach
Board of Realtors |
Brevard |
letter pending |
23-Feb-10 |
| 78 |
New
Smyrna Beach
Chamber of Commerce |
Brevard |
letter |
11-Feb-10 |
| 79 |
New
Smyrna Beach,
City of |
Brevard |
resolution |
23-Feb-10 |
| 80 |
New
Smyrna Beach CRA |
Brevard |
letter |
9-Feb-10 |
| 81 |
Northeast
Florida
Regional Planning Council |
Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau,
Putnam & St.
Johns |
|
2-Jul-09 |
| 82 |
North
Florida
TPO |
Clay, Nassau, St. Johns & Duval |
2008-18 |
13-Nov-08 |
| 83 |
North
Palm Beach,
Village of |
Palm Beach |
2009-30 |
9-Apr-09 |
| 84 |
Ocean
Ridge, Town of |
Palm Beach |
2009-03 |
6-Jul-09 |
| 85 |
Orange
County Government
(BOCC) |
Orange |
2009-M-35 |
11-Aug-09 |
| 86 |
Orlando, City of |
Orange |
090810j02 |
5-Aug-09 |
| 87 |
Ormond Beach, City of |
Volusia |
2010-10 |
19-Jan-10 |
| 88 |
Osceola County Government (BOCC) |
Osceola |
09-068R |
17-Aug-09 |
| 89 |
Palm Bay Bayfront CRA |
Brevard |
2009-01 |
14-Jul-09 |
| 90 |
Palm
Beach
County Government
(BOCC) |
Palm Beach |
2009-0960 |
16-Jun-09 |
| 91 |
Palm
Beach
County League
of Cities |
Palm Beach |
09-03 |
24-Jun-09 |
| 92 |
Palm
Beach
County OEDP
Committee |
Palm Beach |
letter |
4-Jun-09 |
| 93 |
Palm Beach Gardens, City of |
Palm Beach |
54-2009 |
4-Jun-09 |
| 94 |
Palm
Beach MPO |
Palm Beach |
5-09 |
21-May-09 |
| 95 |
Palm Coast, City of |
Flagler |
2009-103 |
2-Jun-09 |
| 96 |
Pembroke Pines, City of |
Broward |
3229 |
20-May-09 |
| 97 |
Pompano Beach, City of |
Broward |
2009-192
|
12-May-09 |
| 98 |
Port
St. Lucie, City of |
St. Lucie |
09-R88 |
22-Jun-09 |
| 99 |
Realtors
Association of Indian River County |
Indian River |
09-04 |
16-Jun-09 |
| 100 |
Realtors
Association of Martin County |
Martin |
09-07-05 |
7-May-09 |
| 101 |
Realtors
Association of St. Lucie |
St. Lucie |
09-01 |
5-May-09 |
| 102 |
Riviera Beach, City of |
Palm Beach |
85-09 |
15-Jul-09 |
| 103 |
Rockledge,
City of |
Brevard |
652-2009 |
3-Jun-09 |
| 104 |
St. Augustine, City of |
St. Johns |
2009-13 |
22-Jun-09 |
| 105 |
St.
Augustine
/ St. Johns County Airport
Authority |
St. Johns |
2009-03 |
14-Sep-09 |
| 106 |
St. Johns County Council on Aging |
St. Johns |
09 |
11-Aug-09 |
| 107 |
St.
Johns County Government (BOCC) |
St. Johns |
2009-177 |
16-Jun-09 |
| 108 |
St.
Lucie County Government (BOCC) |
St. Lucie |
09-123 |
14-Apr-09 |
| 109 |
St.
Lucie TPO |
St. Lucie |
09-04 |
3-Jun-09 |
| 110 |
St.
Lucie Village, Town of |
St. Lucie |
2009-08 |
16-Jun-09 |
| 111 |
Sebastian,
City of |
Indian River |
R-09-18 |
8-Apr-09 |
| 112 |
Sebastian River Area Chamber |
Indian River |
09-003 |
13-May-09 |
| 113 |
Seminole
County Government
(BOCC) |
Seminole |
letter |
17-Aug-09 |
| 114 |
Sewall's
Point, Town of |
Martin |
09-691 |
22-Jun-09 |
| 115 |
South
Florida
Regional Transportation Authority |
Palm Beach, Broward
& Miami-Dade |
|
6-Jul-09 |
| 116 |
South
Palm Beach,
Town of |
Palm Beach |
05-2009 |
25-Aug-09 |
| 117 |
Space Coast Association of Realtors, Inc. |
Brevard |
letter |
25-Sep-09 |
| 118 |
Space Coast Office of Tourism |
Brevard |
letter |
18-Sep-09 |
| 119 |
Space Coast (Brevard County) TPO |
Brevard |
10-03 |
9-Jul-09 |
| 120 |
Stuart,
City of |
Martin |
09-55 |
18-May-09 |
| 121 |
Stuart
Community Redevelopment Agency |
Martin |
R03-09 |
22-Jun-09 |
| 122 |
Stuart Main Street |
Martin |
09-June
9, 2009 |
9-Jun-09 |
| 123 |
Stuart/Martin
Chamber of Commerce |
Martin |
09-222 |
5-May-09 |
| 124 |
Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council |
Hillsborough, Manatee,
Pasco & Pinellas |
letter |
9-Jul-09 |
| 125 |
Titusville, City of |
Brevard |
27-2009 |
26-May-09 |
| 126 |
Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council |
Palm Beach,
Martin,
St. Lucie & Indian River |
09-04 |
20-Mar-09 |
| 127 |
University of Central Florida |
Brevard, Volusia, Orange, Lake,
Seminole, Marion & Osceola |
letter |
16-Sep-09 |
| 128 |
Vero Beach, City of |
Indian River |
09-13 |
7-Apr-09 |
| 129 |
Vero
Heritage, Inc. |
Indian River |
letter |
25-Sep-09 |
| 130 |
Volusia
County MPO |
Volusia |
2009-21 |
25-Aug-09 |
| 131 |
Wellington, Village of |
Palm Beach |
2009-71 |
15-Sep-09 |
| 132 |
West
Melbourne,
City of |
Brevard |
2009-17 |
19-May-09 |
| 133 |
West Palm Beach, City of |
Palm Beach |
200-09 |
15-Jun-09 |
| 134 |
West Park, City of |
Broward |
2009-52 |
20-May-09 |
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| Top
of Page |
| |
|
Presentations and Materials |
| |
| Amtrak/FEC Corridor
Coalition ~ Kickoff Meeting ~ March 26, 2010 (City Hall;
Cocoa, FL) |
|
| |
| Amtrak/FEC Corridor
Coalition Updates |
| |
August
5, 2010 Update |
| |
May
31, 2010 Update |
| |
May
7, 2010 Update |
| |
April
6 , 2010 Update |
| |
|
| Top of Page |
| |
|
News Articles, Press Releases, and
Links |
|
News
Articles |
| August |
|
| August 20, 2010 |
Hometown
News - Amtrak Plan is on Track |
| August 13, 2010 |
St.
Petersburg Times - Without mass transit, Tampa Bay
businesses economy may face slow death |
| August 10, 2010 |
Examiner.com
- Application reveals details for FEC service |
| August 9, 2010 |
Examiner.com
- Amtrak on FEC idea moves rapidly; perhaps three
years before the trains visit coast |
| July |
|
| July 14, 2010 |
Jacksonville
Times Union - St. Augustine Passenger Rail Station
Coming |
| July 9, 2010 |
Florida
Today - Our views: Staying on track |
| July 8, 2010 |
Florida
Today - Q&A with Cocoa Mayor Blake |
| July 8, 2010 |
Florida
Today - Brevard cities anxious about Amtrak service
|
| June |
|
| June 29, 2010 |
St.
Augustine Report - Commission Action |
| June 29, 2010 |
St.
Augustine Record -City Commission Picks San Marco
Site for Proposed Amtrak Station |
| June 27, 2010 |
St.
Augustine Record - Editorial - Put Train Station
at 60s FEC Location |
| June 27, 2010 |
Florida
Today - Stone Street Owners Lament Cocoa Amtrak
Station Choice |
| June 24, 2010 |
Vero
Beach News Journal - Vero Beach Council Chugs Ahead
with Station Plans |
| June 23, 2010 |
Florida
Today - Cocoa Picks Rosa L Jones Site for Train
Depot |
| June 21, 2010 |
Vero
Beach Press Journal - Amtrak Could Move on Amtrak
Station Thursday |
| June 18, 2010 |
Florida
Today - Residents Pressure to Cocoa to Open Street |
| June 17, 2010 |
Vero
Beach News - Amtrak, Planners Want to Use Historic
Vero Beach Station |
| June 17, 2010 |
St.
Augustine-com - San Marco Amtrak Stop Favored |
| June 15, 2010 |
St
Augustine Record - Officials, DOT talk Amtrak Locations
|
| June 12, 2010 |
Florida
Today - Editorial - Refurbish Titusville Station
for Amtrak Service |
| June 10, 2010 |
Daytona
News Press Journal - Panel Recommends Magnolia for
Amtrak Station - print format |
| June 10, 2010 |
Daytona
News Press Journal - Panel Recommends Magnolia for
Amtrak Station |
| June 9, 2010 |
Florida
Today - Titusville Touts Train Station for Amtrak
Stop |
| June 8, 2010 |
Daytona
Beach News Journal - Potential Train Station Sites
Down to 2 |
| June 7, 2010 |
WPBF-com
- I-95 in Florida Most dangerous Roadway in the
Country |
| June 5, 2010 |
Florida
Today - Amtrak Sites Roll Along in Titusville &
Melbourne |
| May |
|
| May 25, 2010 |
Florida
Today - Amtrak Service Inches Closer to Brevard |
| May 17, 2010 |
Orlando
Sentinel - Amtrak East-Coast Project Meets in Melbourne
Titusville |
| May 16, 2010 |
Daytona
Beach Press Journal - Crowds Turn Up at the Thought
of Passenger Trains Returning |
| May 13, 2010 |
Jacksonville
Business Journal - Jax-Miami Passenger Rail on Track |
| May 13, 2010 |
Daytona
Beach News Journal - Amtrak Brings Information about
Train Line Project to Public |
| May 13, 2010 |
News
Channel 13 - Train Station Workshop Draws Standing
Room Only Crowd |
| May 12, 2010 |
Daytona
News Journal - Train Service May Return to Daytona |
| May 7, 2010 |
StAugustine.com
- Editorial - Time's On Hand to Support Passenger
Rail For St. Augustine |
| May 7, 2010 |
Hometown
News - All Aboard Efforts for Passenger Rail Service
Here |
| May 5, 2010 |
Historic
City News - Editorial - Local Officials Need to
Better Educate Themselves |
| May 5, 2010 |
Stuart
News - Editorial - Hope Restored for a Return of
Passenger Railway Service |
| May 5, 2010 |
Gov
Monitor - FL to Revive Amtrak FEC Passenger Rail
|
| May 5, 2010 |
Florida
Today - All Aboard |
| May 4, 2010 |
Florida
Today - Amtrak Plans for Brevard Chugs Along |
| May 4, 2010 |
Miami
Herald - Florida Pledges to Seek Funds for High-Speed
Rail |
| May 4, 2010 |
Sunshine
State news - Florida Amtrak Needs Push from Legislature |
| May 4, 2010 |
TCPalm-com
- Amtrak Trek Could Pave the Way for Jupiter Station |
| May 4, 2010 |
The
Transport Politic - Amtrak Studies FEC Railroad
Service as State Advances High Speed Rail |
| May 3, 2010 |
Examiner-Com
- Amtrak Reviews Feasibility of Passenger Rail from
Miami to Jacksonville |
| May 3, 2010 |
Jacksonville
Examiner - Smooth Track is Highlight of Amtrak Ride
Over FEC |
| May 3, 2010 |
Florida
Today - Cocoa Seeks Input on Station Locations |
| May 2, 2010 |
Daytona
Beach Press Journal - Railroad-side Rally Signals
Support for Flagler Station |
| May 2, 2010 |
Historic
City News - Editorial - All Aboard |
| May 2, 2010 |
Miami
Hearld - Special Amtrak Train Rolls from Miami to
Jacksonville on FEC Corridor |
| May 2, 2010 |
NSBNews-net
- Amtrak Passenger Service Here Would Be Economic
Engine |
| May 1, 2010 |
Governor
Crist press release |
| May 1, 2010 |
FlaglerLive-com
- Bunnell and Flagler Whistle-Stop Amtrak |
| May 1, 2010 |
Jacksonville-com
- Governor Crist Kicks off Amtrak Train on FEC Rail
Line |
| May 1, 2010 |
MyOrlandoFox
- Amtrak Run Stops in Central Florida |
| May 1, 2010 |
Stuart
News - Residents on Board for Amtrak Service |
| May 1, 2010 |
Vero
Beach News - Amtrak Train Arrives in Vero Beach
to Supportive Residents |
| May 1, 2010 |
WFTV-com
- Amtrak Considers Stops ALong Space Coast |
| April |
|
| April 30, 2010 |
Channel
13 News - Amtrak Service Returning to State's East
Coast |
| April 30, 2010 |
Palm
Beach Post - Officials Investigating Amtrak Switching
Tracks to FEC Corridor to Stop in West Palm Beach |
| April 29, 2010 |
Jacksonville
Transportation Examiner - Amtrak Rides Florida East
Coast Rails |
| April 29, 2010 |
Sun
Sentinel - Amtrak to run passenger train on FEC
to inspect tracks for future service |
| April 26, 2010 |
Sunshine
State News - Train Project Revive's Henry Flagler's
Line |
| March |
|
| March 25, 2010 |
Historic
City News - Re-establishing the Amtrak-FEC Corridor
Coalition |
| March 26, 2010 |
Jacksonville.com
- East Coast cities push for Amtrak from Jacksonville
to Miami |
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| Press
Releases |
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| Amtrak/FEC Corridor
Coalition ~ Update Regarding Inspection Train ~ May 1,
2010 |
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May
1, 2010 Update |
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| Treasure Coast Chapter
of the Congress for New Urbanism Florida Chapter ~ January
29, 2010 (Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, Florida)
and February 23 (APA Treasure Coast Section , Stuart,
Florida) |
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| Daytona Beach Amtrak/FEC
Coalition ~ Initial Meeting ~ January 20, 2010 (Plaza
Resort & Spa; Daytona Beach, FL) |
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| History |
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| Henry
Flagler’s arrival in Florida in 1878 marked a
turning point in the development of Florida’s
east coast. Flagler’s move to Jacksonville, purchase
of several railroads, and his initial railroad extension
to St. Augustine began a 27-year effort to extend Flagler's
railroad south 450 miles to Key West. Recognizing the
attraction for out-of-state visitors, Flagler realized
the key to the state’s development was a strong
transportation system, complemented by a series of coastal
resorts and luxury hotels along the Atlantic Ocean.
Certain advertising posters from Flagler's company included
the slogan "Florida's East Coast is Paradise Regained."
In cooperation with and support from the State of Florida
and its legislature, Flagler began extending his railroad
south along Florida's east coast, city by city, and
Florida’s east coast became developed with a string
of coastal towns along the Atlantic, with small train
stations along the way. In key locations, Flagler built
more elaborate structures, sometimes including additional
luxury hotel properties. Stops along the corridor grew
into towns, with the train stations often at the center
of the downtown. Flagler's railroad helped settle the
east coast of Florida, with trains reaching Daytona
by 1890, West Palm Beach in 1894, and Biscayne Bay in
1896. Ultimately, Flagler constructed the Florida Overseas
Railroad from Biscayne Bay to Key West, with the Key
West station completed in 1912. Flagler's historic coastal
development pattern continues today, whereby Florida's
east coast provides a series of coastal destinations,
each radiating outward from its historic Florida East
Coast (FEC) rail station in its core downtown.
In 1968, passenger rail service on the FEC was unfortunately
discontinued, and the rail line has only carried freight
since that time. For the past twenty years, a variety
of agencies have been actively pursuing the re-establishment
of passenger service on the FEC, with the most recent
proposal developed by the State of Florida in 2009.
Discussions toward and support for the restoration of
this historic service continue today. |
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| Overview
of Historic Stations along Florida's East Coast |
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| Council’s
Efforts |
| Since
1986, Council has been working to restore passenger service
on the FEC. It has conducted over thirty charrettes planning
for the restoration of FEC passenger service. |
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Location
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Project |
Year |
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Boca
Raton - 2 stations |
Boca
Raton Downtown Charrette |
1999 |
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Boynton
Beach |
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1994 |
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Delray
Beach |
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2001 |
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El
Portal |
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1999 |
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Fort
Pierce |
Fort
Pierce Downtown Charrette |
1995 |
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Hobe
Sound |
Hobe
Sound Architectural Guidelines |
2001 |
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Jensen
Beach |
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1996 |
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Jupiter
- 3 stations |
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2008 |
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Lake
Park |
Lake
Park Expansion Master Plan |
1998 |
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Lake
Worth - 2 stations |
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2008 |
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Mangonia
Park |
Federal
Funding Request - Section 3 |
1995 |
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Miami
Shores |
El
Portal - Miami Shores |
1999 |
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Oakland Park |
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1999 |
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Overtown |
Overtown
Charrette |
2000 |
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Palm
Beach Gardens |
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2009 |
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Port
Salerno |
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2002 |
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Riviera
Beach |
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2007 |
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Stuart |
Stuart
Downtown Charrette |
1988 |
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Tequesta |
Tequesta
- Downtown (Village Center) Charrette |
1997 |
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West Palm Beach - 8 stations |
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2005
& 2010 |
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| In
1994, the FEC Railroad and land were for sale. Council sent
a letter to the governor and state legislature urging the
state to purchase the rail line.
During the development of the Oct 2009 Federal
stimulus application, Council staff assisted FDOT by facilitating
interagency meetings with the eight "station cities,"
reviewing their local plans and documents, and summarizing
materials for the application document. One of the summary
documents is a brief overview of historic stations along the
FEC corridor, which is available for download here: (document
attached)
In January 2010, Council held the West Palm
Beach - CSX-FEC Connector 2010 charrette to identify the location
where Amtrak can switch from the CSX to the FEC corridor.
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