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800 residences set above railway depot

Thirty-two trains a day – 16 departures from Miami, 16 arrivals to Miami.

That is the ambitious expectation for All Aboard Florida, a private venture to bring passenger rail service back to South Florida.

Representatives of All Aboard Florida attended a real estate forum in Coral Gables last week and shared some particulars to the main train station under construction in downtown Miami, the southern end of a new intercity passenger rail link to Orlando.

The trains will come on line in January 2017, according to Charles Shallat, executive vice president with Lincoln Property Co., working with All Aboard Florida.

The multi-block complex being built adjacent to the county government center – MiamiCentral – will be much more than a transportation hub, although that will be the foundation.

“It’s a hub we’re creating,” said Mr. Shallat. The MiamiCentral station will be the culmination of all modes of transportation: The long-distance train, Metrorail, Metromover, buses, trolleys, bike rentals, taxis and more.

Those who choose to live at central station can do so without owning a car, he said.

But the project does include four levels of parking for those unable or unwilling to give up their private vehicles. Panelists agreed the transition away from the auto will be slow.

Phase one of central station is to include the base facility with elevated tracks. The entire downtown site for All Aboard Florida is eight blocks long.

Two residential towers with 800 dwelling units are planned for the project’s central portion, he said.

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John Charles Robbins
November 26, 2014
http://www.miamitodaynews.com/2014/1...railway-depot/