15 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

Decision has been made.... Stuart is going to be Brightline's 7th station.  From Brightline e-mail:

 

 

 

Just announced — Downtown Stuart in Martin County has been chosen as the next location for a new Brightline station. The station will be conveniently located between the West Palm Beach and Orlando stations, where Guests can travel to and explore the Treasure Coast. 

 

Brightline Guests traveling to Stuart will be within walking distance of the award-winning downtown and minutes from Stuart’s pristine beaches, oceanfront resorts, and internationally acclaimed Treasure Coast lifestyle. 

 

Stuart is on track to become the seventh station in the Brightline network and will provide residents and visitors unprecedented access to the Treasure Coast.

LEARN MORE

 

[CNJRoss]

WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL,   9/7/24; updated 9/9/24

 

The future of Brightline in Stuart will be decided this week

 

WPTV listening to residents and business owners who are surprised by the news of the city revisiting its lease with Brightline

 

STUART, Fla. — A big decision on the horizon in Stuart is causing tensions to rise in the community as the city decides whether to cancel its lease agreement regarding the construction of a Brightline station.

 

This is an issue that WPTV has been closely following for the last few years as the location of a station on the Treasure Coast has been debated.

 

The Stuart City Commission is scheduled to meet at 4 p.m. Monday regarding the possible construction of a Brightline station. The meeting is expected to be heavily attended by members of the community.

 

Continue with video report. 

[CNJRoss]

WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL,  9/6/24

 

 

Could Fort Pierce get a Brightline station? Decision coming soon

 

Why city and county officials are gearing up to throw their hat back in the ring for a station

 

FORT PIERCE, Fla. — It was a hotly contested battle on the Treasure Coast: which city would secure the highly-coveted Brightline station?

 

Now, the city of Fort Pierce could get the bid after all— even though the communter train company chose Stuart as a Treasure Coast stop.

 

In a meeting Aug. 26, Stuart city commissioners voted unanimously to consider rescinding their deal with Brightline after several residents spoke up, voicing concern about the $30 million commitment the station could potentially pose to taxpayers.

 

Continue with video report.

[CNJRoss]

WPBF (ABC 25), West Palm Beach, FL 9/9/24

 

Stuart business owners hope Brightline deal remains on track

 

STUART, Fla. — Business owners in Stuart are fighting to ensure the agreement between the City of Stuart, Martin County and Brightline moves in the right direction.

 

The city of Stuart is expected to vote Monday on whether or not it will rescind the ground lease agreement with Brightline for a train station.

 

WPBF caught up with several business owners around downtown Stuart ahead of Monday's meeting.

 

 

Continue with video report. 

[CNJRoss]

TCPalm.com (Treasure Coast Newspapers), Port St. Lucie, FL 9/9/24

 

Stuart city commissioners back out of deal to build a Brightline station downtown

 

STUART — Brightline must find another home on the Treasure Coast.

 

City commissioners Monday rescinded two agreements with Brightline. The votes, both 3-2, kill the 7½-month effort to build a station in downtown Stuart.

 

"It's a bad deal for taxpayers," Commissioner Christopher Collins told the audience at the meeting, most of whom wore yellow clothing to support construction of a Stuart station.

 

The original deal was for Brightline to pay its portion of the station, Collins said. When that changed, "that's an issue," he said.

 

 

Continue here. 

[CNJRoss]

WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL,  9/9/24

City of Stuart votes 3-2 to rescind lease with Brightline, revokes agreement with Martin County

 

WPTV has been following the development of the interlocal agreement between the city of Stuart, Martin County and Brightline since the beginning of the year

 

 

STUART, Fla. — More than 50 people took to the podium to voice their thoughts about a Brightline station coming to Stuart. Most of the crowd on Monday spoke in favor of the new station.

 

Ultimately, the board voted 3-2 to rescind the ground lease agreement with Brightline and voted 3-2 to rescind their interlocal agreement with Martin County for the train station.  . . .

 

Continue with video report.