Miami-to-Orlando Transportation Project to Create New Jobs

Coral Gables, FL (March 11, 2015) – All Aboard Florida has selected Fort Lauderdale-based D. Stephenson Construction, Inc. to construct the Argentelle Catering & Special Events facility near its future Fort Lauderdale passenger-train station. The facility will be located on land just west of the Florida East Coast Railway. The development is part of a greater master-planning initiative to spur opportunities downtown. Construction activities are expected to begin by the end of March.

“D. Stephenson Construction Inc.'s reputation for integrity and delivering quality projects on time and within budget made the company an easy choice for this project,” said Scott Sanders, executive vice president of development and construction at All Aboard Florida. “We are committed to the inclusion of minority contractors in our procurement process, and the addition of Dwight Stephenson's firm to our team is a testament to our commitment. We are excited to work with Stephenson as we begin the first phase of a greater vision for a vibrant transit-oriented landscape in downtown Fort Lauderdale.”

With more than 20 years of experience, D. Stephenson Construction, Inc. is one of the largest, most successful minority-owned construction companies in South Florida. The firm maintains an impressive portfolio of clients, including Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport, Broward County Public Schools, Memorial Health Systems, Florida Memorial University, Broward County Judicial Center, Broward County Parks and Mount Hermon AME Church.

“We are excited to have been selected to build this facility, and hope to use this as an opportunity to do even more work with All Aboard Florida in the future,” said Dwight Stephenson, chief executive officer of D. Stephenson Construction, Inc. “I'm glad to see that All Aboard Florida recognizes the contributions that local minority-owned firms like ours can make to the success of a major undertaking such as this.”

All Aboard Florida will create nearly 800 jobs during construction of the rail line in Broward County and the Fort Lauderdale station, and an additional 50 jobs when the catering facility is built. With a robust construction schedule ahead, D. Stephenson Construction, Inc. is scheduled to complete work this fall.

About All Aboard Florida

All Aboard Florida is an intercity passenger rail project being developed by Florida East Coast Industries, Inc. (FECI), the owner of Florida's premier passenger-rail corridor. The service will connect Miami to Orlando with stops in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. It will also provide Floridians and visitors with a viable transportation alternative to congested highways and airports, and deliver a high‐quality onboard experience for passengers. All Aboard Florida will be the first privately owned, operated, and maintained passenger rail system in the United States. 

About Florida East Coast Industries

Florida East Coast Industries, LLC (FECI) is one of Florida's oldest and largest full-service commercial real estate, transportation and infrastructure companies. Headquartered in Coral Gables, Fla., FECI has a rich history, dating back more than a century. Henry Flagler established a predecessor to the company in 1892, that pioneered the development of Florida's east coast. Today, FECI continues to transform Florida as parent company to four distinct businesses: Flagler, a full-service commercial real estate company; All Aboard Florida, the United States' first privately owned and operated intercity passenger rail system; Flagler Global Logistics, an integrated logistics company offering logistics services and real estate solutions; and Parallel Infrastructure, a leader in third-party Right of Way (ROW) investments and management services. FECI is owned by private equity funds managed by affiliates of Fortress Investment Group, LLC. For more information, visit www.feci.com.

About D. Stephenson Construction, Inc.

Founded in 1992 by Pro Football Hall of Famer and Miami Dolphin legend Dwight Stephenson and his wife Dinah, D. Stephenson Construction provides construction management, general contracting and design-build services to public and private sector clients throughout South Florida. A member of the U.S. Green Building Council, the company has been voted one of the Top 50 Green Builders in the region, and is committed to supporting MWBE programs. For more information, visit www.dstephenson.com.