FORT PIERCE — In a move that would have stunned many just weeks ago , Fort Pierce officials are resurrecting talk of building the Treasure Coast’s first, and perhaps only, Brightline train station.
During a Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency meeting Tuesday, Sept. 10 all four city commissioners agreed with Mayor Linda Hudson that preparations need to be made to restart talks with the railroad.
Virtual meetings are already being scheduled between St. Lucie County Economic Development Council leaders and Brightline executives for later in the week, Commissioner Michael Broderick said. Broderick could not confirm who was to participate.
Broderick said he has had “four or five conversations” with EDC President Pete Tesch in recent days. The EDC, in conjunction with city staff, has offered to “take the lead” on talks with Brightline, Hudson said.
Fort Pierce is ready to go when time comes
That virtual meeting would come just days after the Stuart City Commission voted 3-2 to pull out of its agreements with Brightline, which the previous commission agreed to before the August election. The Martin County Commission, on the other hand, voted unanimously Tuesday to delay any decision on its agreements with Brightline, with county commissioners indicating they would try to change Stuart commissioners’ minds.