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Stuart station (Brightline)

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Coordinates: 27°11′45″N 80°15′03″W / 27.195945°N 80.250764°W / 27.195945; -80.250764
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Stuart
General information
Location500 SE Flagler Avenue
Stuart, Florida
United States
Coordinates27°11′45″N 80°15′03″W / 27.195945°N 80.250764°W / 27.195945; -80.250764
Owned byMartin County
Operated byBrightline
Line(s)Florida East Coast Railway
Platforms1 side platform
Tracks1
Tram routesStuart Tram
ConnectionsBus transport MARTY: 3
Construction
Structure typeAt-grade
ParkingYes; paid
Bicycle facilitiesRacks
AccessibleYes
History
Opening2028
Future services
Preceding station Brightline Following station
Orlando
Terminus
 Brightline West Palm Beach
toward MiamiCentral
Location
Map

Stuart station is a future Brightline inter-city rail station in Stuart, Florida. The station would be located near the Old Martin County Courthouse in the downtown area of the city, having a station size of 8,750 square feet (813 m2) on a 2.35-acre site. Service at this station will begin by 2028.

History

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Brightline had originally expressed interest in adding a station on Florida's Treasure Coast, as part of their route between Miami and Orlando. In 2018, Brightline reached a legal settlement with Martin County and residents that a station would be constructed on the Treasure Coast within five years of the completion of the Orlando extension.[1] Later that year, the company asked cities in the area to submit proposals for viable station locations. Fort Pierce, which last had passenger train service on July 31, 1968, had expressed interest.[2][3] The City of Stuart had also indicated that it will be negotiating for a potential station.[4] Brightline had originally indicated that Stuart could be the most likely location for a Treasure Coast station.[5] However, neither city's station proposals had been committed in writing as completion of the line to Orlando was the top priority for Brightline. After completing the Orlando extension, Brightline had indicated that their focus was on the Treasure Coast to receive a station, with the company formally launching request for proposals.[6] Stuart and Fort Pierce were the candidates to receive the Brightline station.[7] By February 26, 2024, Stuart city officials confirmed that Brightline had expressed that Stuart would be chosen for the station location.[8] On March 4, 2024, Brightline officially announced that Stuart had won the bid for the Treasure Coast station.[9][10] In the months to follow, however, financial concerns began to arise, with some residents mentioning that the station would be too costly for taxpayers of the City of Stuart. On September 9, 2024, Stuart commissioners voted 3-2 to rescind agreements with Brightline for the station, despite the majority of locals in support for the station.[11][12][13] The following day, Martin County commissioners unanimously voted to renegotiate the deal between Brightline and the City of Stuart for the potential station.[14][15] On November 12, 2024, Martin County commissioners unanimously voted to move forward with the station and fund up to $15 million.[16][17] The county then submitted a request for a $45 million Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail (FSP) grant from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) by a December 17, 2024 deadline, with the total cost of the project expected to cost $60 million.[18][19][20]

The Stuart station is planned to be an infill station along the Florida route. Martin County, along with the anticipated FSP grant from the FRA, would fund constructing the station and its platform, a surface parking lot that would accommodate Brightline passengers, improvements to rail infrastructure, and access and zoning requirements and costs. The total project cost is estimated to be $60 million, and the county will contribute up to $15 million, while the FSP grant could fund up to $45 million. Construction of the station could begin in the coming years, with service planned for 2028.

References

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  1. ^ Norman, Lianna (September 22, 2023). "Is there a Brightline station on the Treasure Coast? No, but here's how to get to one". Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  2. ^ Rodriguez, Janny (September 6, 2018). "Brightline considers Fort Pierce train station". WPTV.
  3. ^ Gardner, Keona (September 5, 2018). "Fort Pierce: Brightline wants to build station, hotel at H.D. King site downtown". TC Palm.
  4. ^ Broadt, Lisa (October 23, 2018). "Stuart will pursue Brightline station; city is considering three locations". TCPalm. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  5. ^ Solomon, Joshua (October 25, 2019). "Virgin Trains moving closer to station in Cocoa, leaning toward Stuart". TCPalm. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  6. ^ "BRIGHTLINE ANNOUNCES PROCESS TO SELECT A TREASURE COAST STATION". www.gobrightline.com. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  7. ^ "Brightline CEO: Treasure Coast train station is focus now following passenger rail launch". Yahoo News. September 22, 2023. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  8. ^ Burbank, Keith; Perlis, Wicker (February 26, 2024). "Brightline to build new Treasure Coast station in downtown Stuart, city officials say". Treasure Coast Newspapers. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  9. ^ "BRIGHTLINE ANNOUNCES STATION EXPANSION FOR DOWNTOWN STUART & MARTIN COUNTY". www.gobrightline.com. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  10. ^ "Brightline announces Stuart as home to new Treasure Coast station". WPTV News Channel 5 West Palm. March 4, 2024. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  11. ^ Perry, Rachael (September 9, 2024). "Stuart business owners hope Brightline deal remains on track". WPBF. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  12. ^ Bente, Katie (September 9, 2024). "Stuart cancels $60 million Brightline deal: What's next for the Treasure Coast?". WPEC. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  13. ^ Burbank, Keith (September 10, 2024). "Stuart city commissioners back out of deal to build a Brightline station downtown". Treasure Coast. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  14. ^ Califano, Caleb (September 10, 2024). "Martin County Commissioners vote to try and continue negotiations with city of Stuart and Brightline". WPBF. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  15. ^ Burbank, Keith (September 10, 2024). "Martin County will try to try to salvage deal for a Brightline station in downtown Stuart". Treasure Coast. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  16. ^ Burbank, Keith (November 12, 2024). "Brightline gets $45 million deal with Martin County for a station in downtown Stuart". Treasure Coast. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  17. ^ "Martin County commissioners vote to move forward with plan to build Brightline station". WPTV News Channel 5 West Palm. November 12, 2024. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  18. ^ Burbank, Keith. "Martin County wants $45 million from feds to help build Brightline station in downtown Stuart". Treasure Coast. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
  19. ^ "Florida county applies for federal funds for Brightline station". Trains. December 18, 2024. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
  20. ^ "Martin County Submits Federal-State Partnership Grant Application for Brightline Station $45 million award would help fund new intercity passenger rail station". Retrieved December 20, 2024.
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