Palm Bay leaders voice support for All Aboard Florida

Brevard County's largest city formally supports All Aboard Florida — and its leaders hope the private passenger rail service adds a train station in South Brevard.

Last week, the Palm Bay City Council unanimously adopted a resolution supporting All Aboard Florida. The company plans to transport passengers between Orlando International Airport and South Florida with stops in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.

"What this brings for us, for the entire state, is just amazing economic development. It's moving us forward, Councilwoman Michele Paccione said.

"It's just time that we have to think outside the box. You have to think for the future. There is a lot at stake, and I'm hopeful that they will keep Brevard right at the top of their list to get a station. I do believe that," Paccione said.

Palm Bay's resolution asks All Aboard Florida to consider the benefits of adding a station in Brevard County.

The Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization and Canaveral Port Authority are teaming up to study potential locations between Cocoa and the Indian River County line.

Deputy Mayor Harry Santiago said he is "very optimistic" about Palm Bay-Melbourne getting a train station, calling the region the epicenter of Brevard's business community.

"I know that a lot of people are not crazy about this. I think that with modern-day technology, trains are not the same as they were 10 or 20 years ago. They're quieter. They're less visible," Santiago said.

"There are things that can be done, improvements to infrastructure, to make it more palatable to the average resident," he said.

Councilman Jeff Bailey voted yes — but he voiced numerous reservations for the record. He said he preferred to see the city remain neutral and table the resolution.

More: News from Brevard County by Florida Today

Noting that Indian River and Martin counties have filed federal lawsuits to try to block the project, he cited potential Palm Bay maintenance costs for train crossings and public safety impacts.

"To me, it's an issue on whether we should be leading the charge on this," Bailey said.

The Grant-Valkaria Town Council has scheduled a potential All Aboard Florida discussion during its next regular meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The agenda item about the train service is an ongoing placeholder, Town Administrator Rick Hood said, and no specific discussion is planned.

Contact Neale at 321-242-3638, rneale@floridatoday.com or follow @RickNeale1 on Twitter