STUART, Fla. — The fate of Brightline in Martin County is up in the air.
On Tuesday, the Martin County Board of Commissioners made a motion to attempt to renegotiate its Brightline deal, after a Monday night meeting in which the Stuart City Commission voted to rescind its agreement.
Martin County Commissioners made it clear Tuesday that they would like to further pursue having a station in the county, some of them hoping Stuart’s decision to back out doesn’t ruin their chances.
Local leaders are still working to get a stop in town.
Region Martin County
PRICE CHECK: Here's why pulling out of Brightline deal could cost taxpayers more
Brightline told WPTV they’re reaching obstacles with Stuart they’ve never faced before.
“We’re kind of left a little bit shocked and kind of dismayed,” said Brightline’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs Ben Porritt. “We celebrated this event back in March, which we thought was a done deal.”
On Monday, the board voted 3-2 to rescind a ground lease agreement with Brightline, and 3-2 to rescind its interlocal agreement with Martin County for a Brightline station in Stuart. The board also heard public comment from more than 50 people, most of whom supported the new station.
Monday night's proposed resolution:
In a meeting Tuesday, Martin County Commissioners voiced their support for renegotiating a deal to build a Brightline station in the Treasure Coast.
“I want a station in Martin County. We now have a 100-mile-an-hour train with absolutely no benefit. It’s ridiculous,” said Martin County Commissioner and Chairman Harold Jenkins.
“I’m confident that we can reach a compromise,” added Martin County Commissioner Sarah Heard.
“They want a fair deal for the taxpayers so I would withdraw the items and continue talks with the city,” said Martin County Commissioner Stacey Hetherington.
Now, commissioners are hoping the opportunity hasn’t slipped away.
“We’re kind of reevaluating our next steps to understand where a station would go on the Treasure Coast so we’re going to work with the other cities and the other counties to understand what the next steps may be,” said Porritt.
WATCH: Brightline's Ben Porritt speaks exclusively to WPTV
Residents on both sides made their voices heard at Tuesday’s meeting.
“I’m looking at it as a big picture. That we need transportation that isn’t just a car,” said resident Christy Down.
“We have no business paying for a train station by a private company. Let the private company pay for it,” said resident Steve Adams.
A deal derailed, but not yet destroyed.
Read WPTV's previous coverage on Brightline station on Treasure Coast:
WPTV Investigates
Brightline sees decrease in short-distance rides, increase in this route
Treasure Coast
'BRING IT ON': If Stuart says no, Fort Pierce says yes to a Brightline station
Region Martin County
Treasure Coast businesses had this to say about Brightline station in Stuart
Travel
Could Fort Pierce get a Brightline station?
Travel
Stuart mayor says Brightline station will cost roughly this much
Travel
