Brevard County is considering approving funds to support the construction of a Brightline passenger train stop along the tracks in Cocoa. This local funding proposal will be up for a vote at the next Brevard County Commission meeting. The proposal includes allocating $5 million towards the project, which has a total cost of nearly $75 million. In addition to the local funds, efforts will be made to secure additional federal funding for the train stop.
The proposed 90-acre site for the Brightline train stop is located at the beach line curve of State Road 528 and U.S. Highway 1. This location is significant as trains must slow down at this curve to make the turn south. The Tourism Development Council has already voted to allocate $5 million for project development, and now it will be presented to the county commission for further consideration. The train stop is expected to benefit local businesses by bringing in train riders as patrons.
One local business owner who is eager for the Brightline train stop to be built is Paul Hill, co-owner of Dirty Oar Beer Company in Cocoa Village. There is optimism among business owners like Hill that the train stop will attract new customers and boost economic activity in the area. The City of Cocoa spokesperson, Samantha Segner, believes that this transformative project not only benefits Cocoa but also increases employment opportunities, tourism and leisure travel throughout Space Coast region with it’s development
