KENNEBUNK — If all goes the town’s way, Amtrak’s Downeaster rail service will soon be coming to Kennebunk ”“ which many expect to be an economic boon for the area, drawing tourists to a variety of local businesses.

The new station, which is expected to be fully operational by 2016, will be located in the Dietz Associates building, which may also serve as a location for a seasonal stop sometime in 2015.

That all depends on how the next stages in the process unfold.

“We have a significant process to go through to get approval, although the initial approval is in place,” said Economic Development Director Mat Eddy.

The next steps involve meetings with Amtrak representatives and the Maine Department of Transportation, as well as securing a purchase-and-sale agreement with a nearby property owner to secure parking space for the new venture.

The train station will be paid for with about $3 million in Tax Increment Financing District funds, as well as approximately $8 million in funds from MDOT, said Eddy, which will be available in 2016. He expects that, once completed, the new station will boast a 300-foot platform ”“ large enough to accommodate those bringing along bicycles. That feature, said Eddy, will factor heavily into the town’s advertising of the new train stop.

Kennebunk is no stranger to rail service, although few likely remember the last time a train huffed to a stop within the town. According to Eddy ”“ who was involved in developing the Amtrak outpost in Brunswick ”“ trains serviced the Kennebunk area until the 1950s or ’60s, with the current Dietz building serving as the station.

With the service revived, Eddy hopes the town will build a transit-oriented infrastructure around the train station, giving travelers access to drivers, trolleys and other modes of transport.

Denise Clavette, executive director of the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport-Arundel Chamber of Commerce,

said she expects that an economic boost to the town will be inevitable.

“It’s just a boost for everybody, really,” said Clavette. “When the Downeaster went up in Brunswick, you saw a lot more people there. I imagine that here it would be much the same.”

Based on analysis, Eddy expects the stop will draw travelers from both the north and south ”“ from Brunswick to Boston.

“We think the whole business area’s going to thrive quite a bit,” he said.

— Staff Writer Jeff Lagasse can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 319 or [email protected].