The Cocoa Station Plans by Brightline Railways

Including Restaurants, Shops, and a Hotel

Plans for The Cocoa Station of Brightline Railways are in the works.

The Brightline railroad company operates high speed trains from Orlando International Airport to downtown Miami, Florida with stops in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, and Aventura in North Miami. The trip takes about 3.5 hours of travel time by rail. Future stations are planned for Cocoa, FL (Space Coast) and Stuart, FL in Martin County in the next two years.

Above is a photo of a Brightline train arriving at the Boca Raton station.

Brightline Ownership

Brightline is owned by Florida East Coast Industries (FECI) which is owned by Fortress Asset Management Company, which in turn is owned by Abu Dhabi-based sovereign wealth fund Mubadala Investment Company. Fortress, a real estate development company, has owned FECI since 2007 and borrowed billions of dollars to build the present rail infrastructure using mainly tax free bonds. The interest payments on these bonds is considerable, and will keep Brightline from being profitable for a long time. However, another part of the company, Fortress, will find profits in real estate development along the railway.

Fortress has developed and is developing commercial properties along the east coast route of Brightline. The plans for the Cocoa station will likely include retail, restaurant, and hotel development by Fortress adjacent to the station.

Brightline operates partially on Florida East Coast Railroad tracks owned by Grupo Mexico. Grupo Mexico is a Mexican holding company with various interests in US railroads. Florida East Coast Railway operates freight trains on its 352 miles of tracks along Florida's east coast. It shares its tracks, upgraded by Brightline to accommodate high speed trains, with Brightline from Miami to Cocoa, FL.

Brightline owns the tracks it has installed along Hwy 528 between Cocoa, FL and Orlando, FL. The tracks are mostly on right-of-way of Hwy 528, but Brightline purchased additional pasture land along the south side of the 528 right-of-way.

Interestingly, Fortress Asset Management Company also owns New Media Investment Group, which owns Gannett Publishing, the publisher of Florida Today.

The Cocoa Train Station

Space Coast residents are excited about the proposed Brightline train station Cocoa, FL. It makes sense to have a high speed link to Orlando for residents and tourists alike. The Kennedy Space Center is ranked near the top of Florida's attractions and Port Canaveral is the second busiest cruise ship port in the world.

As visitors will be attracted to the easy access to the Space Coast and its 72 miles of beautiful beach, seafood restaurants, and the nationally respected Brevard Zoo

Space Coast residents will enjoy easy access to Orlando International Airport and all the Orlando shops, restaurants, and attractions. And, heading south, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, and Miami will just be few hours away as riders sit back and relax in comfort as the train hits speeds over 100 miles per hour.

A shuttle will whisk Miami Dolphin and Miami Hurricane fans debarking at the Aventura station to Hard Rock Stadium in time for kickoff. Or go all the way to Miami to watch the Miami Marlins or Miami Heat in action. Aventura is also the home of the world famous Aventura Mall with all of the top designer boutiques, a world-class art collection, plus international indoor and outdoor dining.

West Palm Beach offers access to Palm Beach with elegant Worth Avenue shops and the towns many fine restaurants. West Palm Beach itself has a unique vibe with outdoor dining, entertainment, and fine shopping venues.

Boca Raton features great shopping venues and is the closest stop to Harrah's Pompano Beach Casino and the new "Pomp" entertainment venue featuring TopGolf, fun restaurants such as the Sports & Social and a PBR Cowboy Bar. The development be anchored by a Live! Entertainment District featuring live entertainment in an outdoor environment.

- Brightline Train Station Development in Cocoa, FL: The Brightline high-speed passenger rail company has announced plans to construct a new station in Cocoa, FL, as part of its Orlando-to-West Palm Beach route. This development is expected to bring significant economic and transportation benefits to the Space Coast region .

- Background and Location: The proposed station will be located on a 33-acre plot of land known as the "Cocoa Curve," which Brightline purchased for $12.5 million in April 2021. The Cocoa Curve is an area where the train must slow down to accommodate a southwest turn as it travels from Orlando to South Florida. The station is planned for a site near Clearlake Road/U.S. 1 and State Road 528.

- Funding and Support: The project has received substantial financial support, including $15.5 million in federal grants and eligibility for up to $40 million more.

Additionally, the Cocoa City Council has committed $5 million in city funds to support the development. The Brevard County Board of Commissioners also approved $5 million in tourism money for the project.

- Benefits and Impact: The new Brightline station is expected to provide enhanced transit options for residents and visitors in the Space Coast region. It aims to reduce traffic congestion, lower pollution, and offer convenient access to other parts of Florida. The station is envisioned as an intermodal hub, featuring shopping and dining options, as well as potential residential construction nearby.

- Timeline and Future Plans: While the exact timeline for the station's construction and opening date has not been announced, the project is a significant step towards improving transportation infrastructure in the area. Brightline officials are optimistic about the potential benefits and are working closely with local authorities to ensure the project's success.