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FORT PIERCE — One of the cities vying for the Treasure Coast’s only Brightline station has launched a new way to market itself to itself and its residents: podcasts.
The “Next Stop Fort Pierce” podcast launches its first episode Tuesday and is hosted by Caitlin Ballard, the city’s marketing and communications manager.
The first episode focuses on the impact on the economy and tourism
The first guests will be Mayor Linda Hudson, St. Lucie County Economic Development Council President Pete Tesch, and Director of Tourism and Marketing Charlotte Billery.
The podcast “explores the potential positive impacts of Brightline trains stopping in the city,” according to a news release.
“I’m ready for Brightline,” Hudson said in the first episode.
Bringing Brightline to Fort Pierce would be a boon to the local economy, Tesch said.
“It’s actually literally a vehicle to drive economic development,” Tesch said.
It will also open up the city to tourists, including those who are already in the area as well as those who have never visited before, Billery said.
“St. Lucie County’s two largest markets already attract tourists from Orlando and South Florida, Miami (and) West Palm (Beach), so it gives them another transportation option to get here. “We’re going to do that,” Billery said. “Similarly, Orlando and Miami have two major international airports, and all international travelers are funneled through those airports in Florida, so we have access to more international travelers. I think there’s an opportunity to take it to the coast.”The coast is going to be huge.” ”
Two proposals supported by the City of Fort Pierce
The city has submitted a $20 million proposal to the railroad to build a Bright Line station behind the Sunrise Theater. It was also noted that he supported another proposal from Audubon Development to build a station on the site of King’s Landing, a $155 million mixed-use development under construction downtown.
Both proposals commit to covering all construction costs and leasing the station to Brightline for just $1 a year.
competing proposals
In addition to the two known Fort Pierce locations supported by the Port St. Lucie and St. Lucie County governments, the City of Stuart and Martin County will build a station in downtown Stuart on land currently used by the city. A joint bid was submitted. County Courthouse parking lot adjacent to East Coast Lumber and Supply.
more:Battle for Brightline: New station options appear to be between Stuart and Fort Pierce
more:Which Brightline station proposal is best? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each
Construction of Stuart Station will cost an estimated $60 million, which will be split 50-50 between governments, organizations and the railroad. The city and county would contribute $45 million, and the county would donate the land to the city, which would lease it to Brightline for $1 a year.
Two other proposals for the station were submitted by Brightline’s Dec. 22 deadline, but few details are known about them.
Fort Pierce continues to promote itself to businesses, residents and riders
A Fort Pierce news release promised more “upcoming episodes.” Ballard said there is no set schedule as it is based on guest availability and production constraints.
This is not the first time Fort Pierce has promoted itself as the site for Brightene’s seventh station.
In December, the city hung a banner in the City Hall parking lot facing the railroad tracks that read, “Bright Line, Next Stop…Fort Pierce.”
Brightline first announced the Treasure Coast Authority’s search in Martin or St. Lucie counties in October. The company promises to announce its selection during the first quarter of this year.
Wicker Perlis is a TCPalm surveillance reporter for St. Lucie County. Contact [email protected] or 504-331-0516.
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