COCOA, Fla. — It’s the announcement many on the Space Coast have been waiting for since Brightline passenger trains began running late last year — a stop in Cocoa.

It’s going on eight years since Brightline announced it would build its passenger lines from Orlando to south Florida.

And now, with a lot of work and collaboration, the dream of a Cocoa station is becoming reality.

The city says it is ready to move forward with negotiations for a station located near State Road 528 and US-1, right as the tracks bend south and trains go slower.

Officials say it represents a significant infrastructure investment along with a great economic impact for the community.

The proposed station has been a work in progress with Cocoa, Brevard County and the Space Coast Transportation and Planning Organization.

It began with a study back in 2016, revealing the best possible site for the station.

Pam Shaia’s shop, Tails at the Barkery, in historic Cocoa Village, will be a short distance away.

“When I heard it, I jumped for joy. I called up the city manager, and I told him how they can’t build it quick enough for the village,” said Shaia.

This announcement comes on the heels of another proposed stop in Fort Pierce.

The Cocoa station would benefit Port Canaveral, where passengers will have another transportation option to go on cruises.