Watch a Brightline qualifying train pass through Stuart for the first time
On Tuesday, January 18, 2022, a Brightline-qualified train will travel through downtown Stuart for the first time.
Leah Voss and Lina Ruiz, Treasure Coast Newspapers
Maybe the Brightline station in downtown Stuart isn’t a done deal after all.
By a 5-0 vote, the Stuart City Commission voted Monday to reconsider a contract with the passenger rail company at its Sept. 9 meeting.
At its meeting on August 12, a week before the local elections, the commission approved an agreement that would allow Brightline to lease the land needed for the station for $1 a year for 40 years, with an option to extend the term for another 40 years.
That decision was made by a 4-0 vote, with Commissioner Christopher Collins absent. Collins, a frequent critic of Brightline, was present at Monday’s meeting, along with newly elected Commissioners Sean Reed and Laura Giobbi.
Sensing that the political dynamics within the commission had changed, Collins made a motion at the September 9 meeting to revisit the lease. Reed agreed. After discussing mostly procedural issues, all five commissioners voted to revisit the lease.
“A terrible deal for taxpayers”
Collins described the agreement with the Brightline broadcaster as “a terrible deal for taxpayers” and received cheers and applause in the packed commission meeting room.
Because it was not an agenda item, commissioners were not legally allowed to terminate the lease at Monday’s meeting, but it was clear from some of the comments that Collins and the two new additions were leaning in that direction.
Vice Mayor Campbell Rich, who has served as acting mayor since Becky Bruner lost to Giobbi, urged his colleagues not to act hastily until they are fully aware of the terms of the lease.
“I’m glad we’ll have the opportunity in two weeks to discuss this further in more detail and with correct information,” Rich said before voting with the others to discuss the issue again.
Commissioner Eula Clarke, the other remaining commissioner who voted to approve the lease on Aug. 12, offered no comment before casting her vote to bring the matter back for discussion.
A Brightline employee was not available for comment Monday evening.
At least delayed, perhaps derailed
Although the Stuart Commission’s actions did not immediately cause the project to fail, they could at least slow it down.
The lease also requires approval from the Martin County Commission. The county commission was expected to ratify the lease on Tuesday and consider an amended interlocal agreement with Brightline.
However, even before the Stuart Commission vote, county officials had decided to postpone their Brightline-related items until a meeting on September 10, the day after the next Stuart Commission meeting.
Brightline announced plans for the downtown Stuart station site in March after reviewing proposals for other locations in Martin and St. Lucie counties.
Under a joint proposal by the Stuart and Martin county governments, the county and Brightline would share the cost of the station and track work, while Stuart would be responsible for the parking garage.
City and county officials have said they plan to cover some or all of the construction costs through grants, but some in the community are concerned because the sources of those grants have not been clearly identified.
The county plans to donate the land needed for the station to the city, which will then be leased to Brightline.
“Go in a different direction”
Construction of the station was scheduled to begin in spring, and according to the latest estimates, the opening could take place in early 2027.
As Brightline has moved deeper into the design work, there have been some changes in the scope of the project, although at least some of these changes will likely result in a reduction in overall cost.
The station’s original design called for an 8,000- to 10,000-square-foot building on a 100-acre lot near Southeast Flagler Avenue and Southeast Stypmann Boulevard. Plans originally called for a 200-space garage.
The total number of parking spaces has not changed, although Brightline representatives have stated that it may not be necessary to build a garage to meet that need. The station building is planned to be a single story to match the character of Stuart.
Reed and Giobbi were elected after promising to slow growth and development in the city. Some residents fear the station could become a traffic magnet and potential new development near the city center.
In their remarks after taking the oath of office on Monday, both Giobbi and Reed vowed that Stuart city government would look different under their leadership.
“We’ve done it,” Giobbi said. “We’re making a change and going in a different direction.”
Reed added: “This is the beginning of a new chapter. I’m excited to get to work.”
Her supporters in the audience shouted their approval as the commissioners began discussing Brightline.
During the public hearing, several of them took to the podium and called on the Commissioners to withdraw from the agreement.
“We are paying twice in the city of Stuart for something that provides us with absolutely no economic benefit,” said resident Robin Cartwright.
This column reflects the opinions of Blake Fontenay. Contact him via email at [email protected] or at 772-232-5424.
