Brightline says it might pursue Treasure Coast station; 4 cities asked to submit proposals

Lisa Broadt | Treasure Coast Newspapers

Show Caption Hide Caption Video: Brightline train moves quickly through Boynton The orange Brightline train is seen traveling through Boynton Beach on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018. Brightline trains can reach speeds of up to 79 mph south of West Palm Beach and up to 110 mph through the Treasure and Space coasts.

Brightline officials have renewed their offer to examine Treasure Coast locations as future stations and have asked Stuart, Fort Pierce, Sebastian and Vero Beach to submit proposals, according to a letter sent to the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council Monday.

Brightline has asked the four cities to respond within 60 days with proposals that show viable station locations and community support, Rusty Roberts, Brightline vice president of government affairs, said in the letter to Michael Busha, planning council executive director.

More: Brightline opponents ask court to block $1.15 billion of tax-free financing

The passenger railroad's offer comes almost eight months after service began in South Florida, and only a few months before construction work is expected to begin on the second phase of the project, between West Palm Beach and Orlando International Airport.

It also comes as Martin and Indian River counties continue to wage a legal battle against Brightline in federal court. The counties' lawsuit alleges, among other things, that the U.S. Department of Transportation and Brightline have violated the National Environmental Protection Act.

Brightline officials previously have said they would consider a Treasure Coast station, but have not previously contacted specific cities, soliciting proposals and providing needed criteria.

More: Brightline makes official bid for Orlando-to-Tampa extension along I-4 corridor

Location reaction mixed

Treasure Coast officials Monday described their conversations with Brightline officials as preliminary, and, in some cases, unlikely to proceed.

Vero Beach City Manager Jim O’Connor Monday said the city — which has consistently objected to the project — is not interested, and does not plan to respond to Brightline’s letter.

That Brightline is seeking economic incentives makes the idea particularly unpalatable, O'Connor said, adding he does not plan to bring the issue before City Council.

“It wasn’t that much of an offer. It was, if you’re interested, give us a letter but no one has indicated to me there’s any interest,” O’Connor said.

Sebastian City Manager Paul Carlisle, however, said Sebastian has not decided one way or the other.

“Rusty Roberts came by and said they were looking at potential stations on the Treasure Coast. We made no commitment; we just talked. He gave me a list criteria, incentives they were looking for,” Carlisle said.

“The city hasn’t determined if it would or wouldn’t. I don’t even know, until I do more research, if the city has any property that meets their minimum needs,” he added.

David Dyess, Stuart interim city manager, said Stuart received a letter from Brightline requesting demographic information. Dyess said he also was aware Brightline had been attempting to set up meetings with commissioners, but said he didn’t know if the meetings were ever held.

The city still is largely focused on stopping the train, he added.

More: Can the Treasure Coast coexist with Brightline passenger rail? We shall see | Rich Campbell

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Video: Brightline train travels through Boynton This Brightline train travels through the intersection of SE 4th Street and East Ocean Avenue in Boynton Beach in the area of where a man was killed trying to cross the tracks on a bicycle Jan. 18, 2018.

Fort Pierce City Manager Nick Mimms could not be reached for comment, but the city previously has indicated interest in a station.

"The city of Fort Pierce is continuously exploring regional transportation improvements to enhance the connectivity of our community," Shyanne Helms, communications manager, said last year in an email.

"The city is pursuing a passenger rail stop for Fort Pierce and is open to discussion with all rail services, including (but not limited to) Brightline."

Brightline President Patrick Goddard on Monday said the railroad also is soliciting station proposals from cities on the Space Coast.

Brightline began phase 1 passenger service among Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach earlier this year and plans to begin phase 2 service in 2021. Extension to Tampa also is under consideration, according to Brightline.

Brightline station criteria

Ridership Potential

Population within 30 miles of proposed station and 5 miles of proposed stations

Proximity to key origins and destinations, including business centers, attractions, hotels and residential populations

Economic and demographic data to support ridership potential

Intermodal connections with local transit systems

Accessibility from local street network

Development potential

Parcel must accommodate 1000 linear feet for station platform

Total available acreage including station

Adjacent developable parcels and properties

Existing land use supports residential, hotel, and business development

Acres of vacant or underutilized parcels within ½ mile

Nearby parking and transportation network

Favorable wetland and floodplain conditions

Location