KENNEBUNK, Maine — The Board of Selectmen took a step Tuesday in returning passenger rail service to Kennebunk, as members unanimously approved spending $180,000 to purchase property at 11 Depot St.
The purchase is part of the redevelopment of the original Boston & Maine railroad station at 12 Depot St.
“This would be the oldest original train station on the line,” Town Manager Barry Tibbetts said.
An agreement with Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, or NNEPRA, operator of the Amtrak Downeaster, is for a seasonal stop in Kennebunk that eventually could run year-round, according to Economic Development Director Mathew Eddy.
The town still needs to enter into a lease agreement with the Dietz family, who own the 12 Depot St. property and use it for office space.
Portland is the No. 1 destination for passengers traveling north on the Downeaster, followed by the Kennebunks, Eddy said. People traveling to the Kennebunks by train typically rent cars in Portland, then drive to their destination, or they are getting off in Wells, he said.
A trolley service is expected to be available at the recently approved train stop.
Selectmen discussed whether the $180,000 purchase needed town vote. Voters already approved $300,000 in June for a new train station platform and parking improvements, so board members decided no special town meeting was required.
The property at 11 Depot St., owned by Stephen Hagen of Portland and Martha Foley of West Kennebunk, could provide parking spaces, storage for bikes or taxis and would allow improvements to the drop off and turn-around area, according to information from the town and the purchase and sales agreement.
Tibbetts told selectmen the property is assessed at $225,000 and would likely not again be available for such a low price.
“The opportunity to move on this property is now,” Eddy said.
“We’ve invested time to get downtown cooking,” Selectman Richard Morin said. “This is one more thing.”
Selectman Al Searles suggested having the train stop with a trolley service could help alleviate traffic in Lower Village.
The total project is estimated at $1.15 million, with the Maine Department of Transportation expected to provide $800,000 for the platform in 2016.
Annual operating costs are expected to be between $44,000 and about $60,000 or $70,000, if the operation becomes year-round.