Who pays for Stuart's Brightline station
Plus pool hours, drainage worries and Stuart's reader-picked restaurants.
Martin County has pledged up to $15 million for a downtown Brightline station, but federal money remains the project's next test.
Martin County says plans for a Stuart Brightline station remain active after a missed federal grant opportunity. The county still has an agreement with Brightline, a proposed site and a search for more funding.
The station would sit at 500 SE Flagler Avenue, across from the courthouse. Current plans call for a 10,200-square-foot building on just over two acres. The county has pledged up to $15 million toward construction, but officials say federal help is still needed.
Florida East Coast Railway, which owns the corridor, has opposed a Stuart passenger station on operational grounds. County discussions with Brightline continue. Another major federal grant cycle is expected this fall, making that application the next concrete test for the project.
Boaters question parking in the Charlie Leighton ramp overhaul
Martin County has spent about $4.5 million overhauling the Charlie Leighton Park boat ramp in Palm City. Work began last September and includes a rebuilt ramp, dredging, floating docks, greenspace, gazebos and two piers.
The county increased designated boat-trailer spaces from 20 to 26. Parks officials say the new spaces are 45 feet long, within a typical 40-to-50-foot range, but some boaters say longer rigs will extend into the road. The county directs those users to ramps at Jensen Beach or Sandsprit Park. Charlie Leighton is scheduled to reopen in late September.
Kerri Paizzi takes Restaurant Month to the microphone
Flavor South Florida's Restaurant Month runs across Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast each September. More than 100 participating restaurants over 122 miles offer three-course menus at special prices. The campaign is designed to bring local diners into restaurants during a slower month.
Founder Kerri Paizzi has also launched *Forking Around with Flavor South Florida*. The podcast features chefs, owners, influencers and other restaurant workers talking about how they entered the business and what the work demands. Paizzi, a Hobe Sound resident, started in a New York deli at age 14.
Readers picked the best dining of 2026
Stuart Magazine's Best of Stuart 2026 dining results are out. Readers chose The Gafford as best all-around restaurant, Hudson's on the River for ambience and Krua Thai as best Asian restaurant. Southern Pig & Cattle Co. won barbecue, Importico's Bakery Cafe took bakery and Carson's Tavern led bar food.
Other winners include Berry Fresh Cafe for breakfast, Dolphin Bar for brunch and Piranha Pat's for burgers. Riverwalk Cafe and Oyster Bar took the date-night category, while The Black Marlin won seafood. Readers also picked Taylor Wilson of The Gafford as best chef, Conchy Joe's for dock-and-dine and Brothers' Q BBQ as best food truck.
Indiantown flooding puts drainage back on the table
About six inches of rain flooded homes and cars in Indiantown over the weekend. Resident Mercy Perry said water reached his front door and left his car unable to start. Village crews were out clearing debris from drains during the flooding.
Village Manager Taryn Kryzda said there was no single problem area; drainage structures were overwhelmed even in a new development. The village has already engaged engineers. Kryzda outlined the sequence ahead: complete the engineering, create a capital improvement program, prioritize projects and then identify funding.
Sailfish Splash stays open through Labor Day
- When
- Weekends and Labor Day, through Monday, September 7 · 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM
- Where
- Sailfish Splash Waterpark
- Address
- 931 SE Ruhnke Street, Stuart
Sailfish Splash Waterpark is open from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends and on Labor Day, Monday, September 7. The waterpark is at 931 SE Ruhnke Street in Stuart.
The competition pool follows a different schedule through December 31. It is open Monday through Friday from noon to 3 p.m. and from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Full-day swim-meet closures are set for September 8, 22 and 29. Facility questions go to 772-320-3100.