Fort Lauderdale-based D. Stephenson Construction Inc. has been selected to construct All Aboard Florida's Argentelle Catering & Special Events building 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 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.

Founded in 1992 by Pro Football Hall of Famer and Miami Dolphin legend Stephenson and his wife Dinah, D. Stephenson Construction has been voted one of the top 50 Green Builders in the region, and is committed to supporting MWBE programs.

"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, the construction company’s CEO “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. D. Stephenson Construction is scheduled to complete work this fall.

All Aboard Florida is an intercity passenger rail project being developed by Florida East Coast Industries Inc. (FECI).

The service will connect Miami to Orlando with stops in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. It is a privately owned, operated, and maintained passenger rail system.

Headquartered in Coral Gables, FECI dates back more than a century. Henry Flagler established a predecessor to the company in 1892, that pioneered the development of Florida's east coast.

Source: 

http://miamitimesonline.com/news/2015/mar/18/black-owned-firm-build-catering-site-near-station/