People once took their first steps into Auburn through the train depot on Mitcham Avenue.
Now, that building will house a seafood restaurant known simply as The Depot.
"We will see this as an anchor," said Megan McGowen, deputy economic development director for the city of Auburn.
McGowen said The Depot will serve as an unofficial northern ending point to downtown Auburn.
The building, which has been vacant since 2003, needs significant renovations to be ready for use, according to McGowen. She said "demolition by neglect" led to needing the renovations.
"It definitely needed some work," McGowen said.
Matt Porier, co-owner of The Hound in downtown Auburn, will open the restaurant with his wife and co-owner of The Hound, Jana Porier.
Matt said they kept the name of their restaurant simple, because The Depot is already a recognizable fixture in Auburn.
"It's what everybody calls it already," Matt said.
Matt said the menu will be mostly seafood-based, with many of the items being cooked with wood fires. He said they are buying a custom-built grill and oven for The Depot.
"[Cooking with wood] allows for some intense flavors," Matt said.
Matt said the chef, Scott Simpson, cooks with a wide variety of flavors. He said there will be cuisine from all over the world represented, from Indian flair to American flavors.
"(Simpson has) a variety of influences to bring to the table," Matt said.
Matt said the core of the menu revolves around seafood from the Gulf area. He said the prices on some items would be priced in the mid to high $30s, because he wants to use the freshest meats and focus on sustainable, responsibly caught seafood.
He said the atmosphere would be upscale, but still fun and relaxed.
"It's not fine dining, there's not going to be white tablecloths," Matt said.
Parking will be limited at The Depot, with 26 spots on site. He said complimentary valet parking will be offered so people won't have to worry about finding a parking spot.
Matt said he is not worried about safety hazards near the train tracks because there will be ample pedestrian lighting and sidewalks.
"If I was Skybar, where people are getting wasted, maybe, but we're a restaurant first," Matt said.
He thinks there will be some collaboration with The Hound, his other restaurant, and said there could possibly be some joint events.
"We have two very distinct concepts, but a lot of the same core values," Matt said.
McGowen said the Poriers will pay the city back for the building for several years.
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