The Brevard County Commission in Cocoa, Florida is considering allocating $5 million in local funds to support the construction of a Brightline passenger train stop along the tracks. This proposal will be up for a vote at their next meeting. The site for the train stop is a 90-acre plot located at the beach line curve of State Road 528 and U.S. Highway 1, where trains must slow down to make a turn south.
The Tourism Development Council has already allocated $5 million for project development, and with the addition of local funds, efforts will be made to secure additional federal funding for the train stop. Local business owners like Paul Hill, co-owner of Dirty Oar Beer Company in Cocoa Village, are eagerly anticipating the arrival of new customers brought about by the train stop.
If approved, this transformative project has the potential to bring significant benefits not only to Cocoa but also to the entire Space Coast region. Employment opportunities, tourism, and leisure travel are all expected to increase with its development. The City of Cocoa spokesperson, Samantha Segner, believes that it will be a game-changer for both the city and the region as a whole.
Overall, this proposed Brightline train stop in Cocoa could create new economic opportunities and increase tourism in the region if approved by Brevard County Commission during their upcoming May 2 meeting.