City of Jacksonville officials are considering a historic shift, proposing to convert the Prime Osborn Convention Center back into a train station. This news comes as a surprise given the center's recent renovations and its role as a bustling hub for conventions and events.

Originally opened in 1919 as the Jacksonville Union Terminal, the largest railroad station in the South, the Prime Osborn served as a gateway to the city for decades. It featured numerous rail tracks, a restaurant, a gift shop, and other amenities. In 2023, ASM Global, the center's management company, invested in significant renovations to modernize the facilities.

However, the city's plans for the Prime Osborn extend beyond its current function. A $1.25 million grant was recently awarded to the city from the Build America Bureau, which will fund the planning stages of the LaVilla Transit Innovation and Equity Project, which aims to transform the convention center into a transit hub.

The proposal to convert Prime Osborn into a train station has to coincide with considerations for a future venue for events such as the Home & Patio show that’s occurring this weekend at the Prime Osborn. Would a new convention center be built to replace it?  In 2018, the DIA estimated the cost of a new convention center to be around $500 million. Then, in 2022, the Downtown Investment Authority explored options for a new facility, including a site where the old courthouse once stood. However, these plans were ultimately abandoned.

While the Prime Osborn once handled over 20,000 passengers daily, the decline of passenger rail led to its closure in 1974. Now, decades later, there is renewed interest in reviving the station. However, passenger rail traffic has not fully recovered from pre-pandemic levels, even in markets where rail travel is more common.

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating, "This is an exciting opportunity to restore the Prime Osborn to its glory as Jacksonville's central rail station and create more passenger rail options for our citizens and visitors alike."

Florida East Coast Railway owns the track, and Brightline, the high-speed rail service connecting Miami to Orlando, holds the passenger rail rights. The Jacksonville Transportation Authority has explored the feasibility of a passenger rail route from the Prime Osborn to St. Augustine. Brightline, which is expanding its services in Florida, has expressed interest in extending its line from Orlando west to Tampa. Governor DeSantis has noted there is space available along Interstate-4 (I4) although he does not support public financing of such a project.  Those connections including Miami, Orlando, and the tri-county area of Tampa/St Pete are densely populated which obviously would bolster ridership numbers whereas that’s not the case between Orlando and Jacksonville.

Considering the historical significance of the Prime Osborn Convention Center and the potential benefits of transforming it into a train station, the City of Jacksonville's proposal presents a compelling opportunity. However, the project's feasibility is contingent on several factors, including the city's financial resources, the future of passenger rail traffic, and the need for a new convention center.

While the $1.25 million grant from the Build America Bureau is a positive step, the estimated cost of a new convention center, which could be necessary if the Prime Osborn is repurposed, remains a significant hurdle. The city's financial priorities, including the recent investment in the EverBank Stadium, may also limit its ability to allocate substantial funds to this project.

Furthermore, the success of Prime Osborn as a train station will depend on the growth and viability of passenger rail services in the region. While Brightline's expansion plans and the proposed route to St. Augustine offer potential, the recovery of passenger rail traffic from pre-pandemic levels remains uncertain.

Ultimately, the decision to convert the Prime Osborn Convention Center back into a train station is a complex one with both benefits and challenges. The city must carefully consider the financial implications, the future of passenger rail, and the potential impact on the local economy before proceeding with this ambitious project.

What do you think?

Economic Benefits: Do you think converting the Prime Osborn into a central rail station would have a significant positive impact on Jacksonville's economy, including job creation and tourism?

Feasibility and Cost: Are you concerned about the potential costs and challenges associated with converting the convention center into a rail station?