According to the Orlando Business Journal, commissioners voted unanimously for the creation of the Shingle Creek Transit & Utility Development District this week.
In January of 2023, Universal Orlando Resort announced its intention to create the district and finance the construction of the new SunRail station near Epic Universe.
The district, which mostly includes Universal’s new Epic Universe theme park includes 719 acres – 13 acres are for the proposed train station along Destination Parkway.
The district will use bond proceeds to fund the $174 million worth of public infrastructure. $129 million of that is for the Destination Parkway station and the Sunshine Corridor, a proposed connection between the Convention Center and Orlando International Airport. The corridor would also connect with Brightline, which just launched service from Orlando International Airport and ends in Miami.
The funds would also include $40 million for odor control improvements at the South Water Reclamation Facility and $8 million for improvements to Epic Boulevard leading to Epic Universe.
Orange County leaders will still need to vote to authorize the start of these projects.
Universal Says Yes, Disney Says No
The announcement comes on the heels of Disney canceling plans for a high-speed train station at Disney Springs.
The original Brightline plan was to connect the Orlando International Airport directly to a station at Disney World before traveling on to Tampa. Local businesses asked Brightline to also connect the route through International Drive and Universal Orlando before going to Disney World.
Disney reportedly did not like the change and no longer plans to be part of the route.
Disappointed that Disney no longer figures into plans for a high-speed train station?