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YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER | JANUARY 2020
Brightline/Virgin trains get green light for Boca rail stop [FROM PG 1]
up to $300,000.
Councilwoman Andrea Levine said a hotel in Miami is asking for students from Lynn and Florida Atlantic universities to participate in internships, and Brightline could provide the wheels to get them there and back.
Boca will have to foot the bill for most of the design and construction of a 455car parking garage for train riders and the public. Brightline will be responsible for all garage operating expenses and the parties will split the profits. Library visitors will have dedicated, covered parking on the first floor, which will be complimentary.
enormous opportunity” that will benefit business sectors, particularly the hospitality industry and cultural arts.
Deputy Mayor Jeremy Rodgers said he felt the city was “making the right choice.” “As South Florida continues to grow, a Virgin Trains’ station in Boca Raton will add greater connectivity between our South Florida region while taking cars off the road,” commented Patrick Goddard, president of Brightline/Virgin Trains. “Expanding Virgin Trains in Boca Raton will serve as a catalyst for economic growth by creating jobs and bringing new visitors and spending to the area.” Brightline, soon to be renamed Virgin Trains USA, took some lumps during the public comment session, but came out of it unscathed. One resident slammed the provision that split parking lot profits evenly between Boca and Brightline. “We should drive a harder bargain,” he protested. But many in the community said they favor a train stop. One man applauded Brightline for staging special events for Halloween and Christmas, and looks forward to taking the rapid rail to Orlando
A rendering of the Boca Raton Brightline station. Photo rendering courtesy of Brightline.
when that train line is finished.
that matter has already been dispatched.
Sal Saldana, general manager of Town Center Mall, said he favors the service to provide transportation for employees and customers.
Brightline/VTUSA and Boca will work with the League to move the garden to Meadows Park, with the rail firm paying
Additional land referenced in the lease includes the library parcel, generally located south of the proposed garage, and the vacant lots between SW Third and Fourth streets east of NW 2nd Avenue. The city is not obligated to sell the parcels, but a right of first refusal is included for the term of the lease and the city agrees not to sell to anyone other than VTUSA until Dec. 31, 2024.
Michael Daszkal, managing partner of Daszkal Bolton, said some of his firm’s 600 employees are interesting in taking Virgin USA to and from work. The approved lease will let Brightline/ VTUSA build and fully pay for a train station, complete with lounges, platforms and refreshment centers, on a 1.8-acre site near Palmetto Park Road at Dixie Highway. Construction of the station and garage is scheduled to begin no later than 2021 and be completed by 2023. The depot will force the city to move the Junior League’s community gardens, but
An aerial view of Boca Raton’s Brightline station near the Downtown Library. Photo rendering courtesy of Brightline.
New voting machines could mean quicker, more error-free elections [FROM PG 1]
will still verify it. Still tabulate the whole night,” he said.
The City of Boca Raton and Palm Beach Supervisor of Elections office held the joint Open House for the public to see the new voting machines at Spanish River Library. Spanish River Library will serve as a new early voting location. They received two DS 200 scanners – and three Express Vote machines. The Express Vote machines allow voters to sit down and vote. Boca resident Jim Walsh attended the open house to change his party affiliation. 2020 Boca Elections Boca Council Member Andy Thomson’s Seat A is up for Election on March [17] as is Council Member Andrea Levine O’Rourke’s Seat B, and Scott Singer’s seat for Mayor. Council Members serve a 3-year term and are limited to serving two consecutive terms in a particular seat. The position of Mayor pays $38,000; while the position of Council Member pays $28,000. A partial term in office, as in Singer’s case, would not be
Devante Hargrove of Palm Beach County Elections office explains the new machines, including this new scanner. Photo by Diane Emeott Ko- A look at the new Express Vote machine. Photo by Diane Emeott Korzen. rzen.
held against the person running for another term, said Saxton. [Singer was re-elected as Council Member in 2017 and appointed Deputy Mayor Singer. He became Mayor on April 27, 2018 following Susan Haynie’s suspension from office and before the last election on Aug. 28.] So far, only Singer and past candidate Bernard Korn have announced they will run for Mayor. Qualifying begins Jan. 2 at 8 a.m. and extends until Jan.
10 at 5 p.m.
The Greater Boca Raton Beach & Park District also has three Commission seats up for a vote: the seats held by Steven Engel, Erin Wright and Craig Ehrnst. Beach & Park District Commissioners serve a 4-year term. They do not receive a salary, but are paid $80 per meeting. Because the Beach & Park District is a Special Taxing District, this election will take place August 18 at the time of the 2020 Primary Election.