Martin County, Stuart officially submit application for Brightline station in downtown Stuart

Keith Burbank, Treasure Coast Newspapers
Updated ·3 min read

MARTIN COUNTY — The county and the city of Stuart officially applied to Brightline Wednesday to host a railroad station in downtown Stuart.

Cost of the $60 million station, at 500 SE Flagler Ave., would be shared among the city, the county and Brightline, with $45 million coming from the city and county, according to the proposal, obtained by TCPalm. The county would donate the site, near the county courthouse, to Stuart, which would lease it to the railroad company for $1 a year for 80 years.

A conceptual rendering of the downtown Brightline-Stuart station on Southeast Flagler Avenue at Southeast Stypmann Boulevard.
A conceptual rendering of the downtown Brightline-Stuart station on Southeast Flagler Avenue at Southeast Stypmann Boulevard.

City and county officials believe the application "provides a tremendous opportunity for Brightline and our community," Stuart Mayor Becky Bruner and County Commission Chair Harold Jenkins said in a joint letter to Brightline.

Brightline, which launched full passenger service between Orlando and Miami Sept. 22, announced Oct. 26 that it had begun taking applications for a site for a new station in Martin or St. Lucie county. Application deadline is Friday.

It's unknown how many other applications have been submitted, but the city of Fort Pierce plans to apply by the Friday deadline, city spokeswoman Kaitlyn Ballard said.

At least one private entity, Audubon Development — which is building the Kings Landing mixed-use development in downtown Fort Pierce — has said it would apply and has received support from the city.

Brightline officials did not respond to a request for comment Thursday.

Funding and site details

The 2.4-acre site would accommodate a nearly-9,000-square-foot station and a 200-450-space parking structure, according to plans. The station may have businesses and/or restaurants on the ground floor.

The site is currently used as a parking lot, and if a station is built, 92 on-street parking spaces and 10 rideshare spaces would be created.

A conceptual rendering of the downtown Brightline-Stuart station (lower left) on Southeast Flagler Avenue at Southeast Stypmann Boulevard.
A conceptual rendering of the downtown Brightline-Stuart station (lower left) on Southeast Flagler Avenue at Southeast Stypmann Boulevard.

Brightline, according to the application, would build the station using the $45 million from the city and county. The two governments already are seeking state and federal grants to offset the cost, according to the application.

State and federal grants could cut the city and county's combined cost to less than $10 million, according to county officials. Grants would be split among the city, county and Brightline, with 50% going to the city and 25% percent each to Brightline and the county, according to the proposal.

"It's truly a partnership with the city and county," Bruner said Thursday. "We both know how great this endeavor is to our county. I couldn't be happier with this proposal."

A conceptual rendering of the downtown Brightline-Stuart station on Southeast Flagler Avenue at Southeast Stypmann Boulevard. The Brightline-Stuart station location includes a 2.35-acre parcel along the FEC rail corridor, just south of Southeast Ocean Boulevard. Currently a surface parking lot, the station site will be deeded to the City of Stuart for station leasing, permitting, and development activities.

All revenue generated by the station — including ticket sales, parking fees and proceeds from the lease of commercial space — would go to Brightline, the proposal says.

Community support

The 62-page application incudes at least a dozen letters of support from local chambers of commerce and hotels, among other entities.

The Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce pledged its "undying support" and made a "plea for a Brightline station in Stuart/Martin County," President and CEO Joe Catrambone wrote.

The proposal has the "unequivocal support" of the Historical Society of Martin County, said President and CEO Rob Steele wrote.

Brian Kronberg , VP development of the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast, wrote to express the organization's "strong support for a Brightline station in Stuart/Martin County."

More: $130 million grant is major boost to replacing St. Lucie River railroad bridge in Stuart

More: Martin County, Stuart focus on downtown site for Brightline station; fairgrounds is dropped

Timeline for selection and construction

Brightline plans to announce the selection of the Treasure Coast station, or a short list of potential sites, in the first quarter of next year.

Construction could begin two years later and take about 18 months. The station would open in early 2028, according to Brightline.

Keith Burbank is TCPalm's watchdog reporter covering Martin County. He can be reached at keith.burbank@tcpalm.com.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Proposal released for a Brightline station in Stuart