STUART, Fla. — Construction of a Brightline station on the Treasure Coast is apparently back on track.
This is a story that WPTV has been closely following this year in Martin County.
At a Tuesday meeting, Martin County commissioners voted unanimously to begin negotiations to lease and allow for the application to apply for federal grants to build the train station.
The location of the station will remain across the street from the Martin County Courthouse at 500 SE Flagler Avenue in downtown Stuart.
The decision was met with a show of support from many in attendance who clapped after the the measure was passed by commissioners.
The deal estimates the station's cost is $45 million, and Martin County is on the hook for no more than $15 million, a commitment they say won't affect taxpayers.
“The action that was taking place today is good for the region, good for the residents, good for the businesses, and will ultimately lead to a Brightline station," said Ben Porritt, Brightline's senior vice president of corporate affairs.
A decision needed to be made expeditiously since grants for the project had to be applied for by December. The settlement agreement gives the county two grant cycles to get the money they need. Each party has an opt-out provision after two grant cycles.
Upon completion of the station, at least eight north and southbound trains will stop in Stuart during the first quarter of service, with future stops based on demand. Brightline will also construct an additional 6.6 miles of fencing for safety, and is responsible for liability and maintenance.
"In talking with Brightline, the station is going to meet the quality and characteristics of the Stuart community. I don’t believe there’s going to be a parking garage. You get off the train, it's going to be surface parking. It’s going to be one of their smaller stations," said George Stokus, assistant county administrator.
The deal removes Martin County’s responsibility for the FEC right of way lease fees ($23,000 annual savings for Martin County).
In February, Brightline announced that it selected Stuart over Fort Pierce as the new location for its Treasure Coast station.
On Aug. 12 the city officially approved its agreement with Brightline to lease a spot downtown near the county courthouse at 500 Southeast Flagler Ave.
However, that plan met a roadblock in September when Stuart commissioners 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.
Martin County Commissioner Harold Jenkins told WPTV reporter Jon Shainman in October that they were ready to "go it alone" if needed.
"We're all in. We're going to do whatever we can to get a train station for the people of Martin County," Jenkins said last month.
Ahead of Tuesday's meeting, people in support of the station were set to rally around the county commission office in support of Brightline. They called the gathering the "Save Our Stuart Station" rally.
Ben Porritt with Brightline estimated that "likely somewhere around 2028 we’ll have a station."
Read more of WPTV's Brightline coverage below:
Travel
What Martin Co. just did to 'salvage' future Brightline station
Travel
What's the latest on possible Stuart Brightline station?
Stuart
CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC: Stuart wants Brightline, county frustrated with dealings
Stuart
SAVE OUR STATION: Dozens rally for Brightline before city meeting
Treasure Coast
'BRING IT ON': If Stuart says no, Fort Pierce says yes to a Brightline station
Stuart
