Heard It All Before
If this Brightline story feels like something you’ve heard a hundred times, you’re not alone. Think of Sunshine Anderson’s song, "Heard It All Before," because that’s the vibe here. After years of talks, back-and-forths, and a lot of debates, Martin County and Brightline have finally struck a $45 million deal for a station in downtown Stuart. It’s a done deal—at least for now—and the station is expected to be operational by 2028.
The Road to Approval
The path here hasn’t exactly been smooth. Just a few months ago, it looked like the deal was dead when Stuart’s city commissioners backed out. But Martin County swooped in and made it happen, promising to cap their spending at $15 million. The rest of the funds are supposed to come from grants. There’s a catch, though: if the grants don’t come through by 2027, either party can pull out. Until then, they’re moving forward, with both sides hoping they can secure the funds in time.
Fort Pierce’s Close Call
For a while, Fort Pierce was waiting on the sidelines, hopeful that the station might come here instead. There’s been a lot of talk among locals—some excited about the idea of easier travel, while others were worried about the potential traffic and congestion. And with big projects like King’s Landing already in the works downtown, adding a train station to the mix might’ve felt like biting off more than we could chew. But it’s not happening for Fort Pierce, at least not this time around.
What’s Next?
So what does this mean for us here on the Treasure Coast? For one, more travel options. Even if the station is in Martin County, it opens up new ways to move up and down the coast, bringing potential tourists our way and hopefully adding some economic energy to the area. Local businesses, especially around the Stuart area, are likely to see a bump, and it’s possible we’ll get some overflow traffic heading our way too.
Looking to the Future
Martin County’s plan is to use federal and state grants to fund the majority of this project. They’ve already set aside $3.2 million for the design and permitting phase. If all goes smoothly, construction could start as soon as the funding is secured. Once it’s up and running, Brightline plans to offer at least four stops in both directions during the station’s initial phase, adjusting based on demand from there.
Why This Matters
Love it or hate it, the Brightline station marks a big change for the Treasure Coast. It’s a travel boost for Martin County and might be a sneak peek at what’s possible for Fort Pierce in the future. For now, we’re watching from a distance, hoping this new addition lives up to its promise of more connectivity and economic growth, even if it’s just a bit farther south than we wanted.
