DERRY — As Derry has seen positive economic development in other areas of town, the Town Council has focused on the potential for downtown development.

On Tuesday night, the council held a workshop meeting where Town Administrator John Anderson updated members on recent development and the seven councilors bandied about ideas for improving the economic future of the downtown area.

“What is Derry’s identity in the downtown?” asked councilor Brian Chirichiello. “If we find that answer, I think it will go a long way.”

Currently, town planning director George Sioras is heading up the inventorying of downtown properties to determine which ones are owned by the town, who owns the private properties, and the rates the property owners are charging for rental of the properties.

Councilor Joel Olbricht said he is in favor of attracting high -tech businesses downtown.

“Either we spend the money, time, and capital to develop the downtown as we want it, or we allow it to become what it will on its own,” he said.

Councilor David Milz pointed to the successful development of the Rte. 28 TIF district and the potential development of the Webster’s Corner area of Rte. 28 as factors that could lead to more business downtown.

He said he didn’t believe the downtown has enough space to bring in entrepreneurial, high-tech companies.

With municipal water and sewer coming to the Webster’s Corner area, Milz said there might be a better chance to develop that are for high-tech businesses.

“There are some huge spaces where we could put the emphasis on that for a high-tech district,” he said. That could then bring people in to shop in the town’s retail districts and explore the downtown.

Councilor Neil Wetherbee also noted that bringing jobs into the area around the downtown would draw people to the area.

“I don’t think the employees need to be downtown, but they will gravitate to the downtown if they are here,” he said.

Parking is a big issue for councilor Phyllis Katsakiores.

“If we want to entice businesses into the downtown, we can’t have a little off-street parking here and a little off-street parking there,” she said. “Derry is a hub that is close to the mountains, the beaches, and Massachusetts and Rte. 93 is right at our doorstep. We’re in such a position that we could bring anyone in here if we have the right things to entice them.”

Council chairman Brad Benson also noted that economic development overall in the town has been positive over the last several years.

For the downtown, Benson said he would like to see improvements to the building facades and increased occupancy of vacant storefronts.

At the end of the meeting, Olbricht said he was still concerned that there was no clear direction for the future of the downtown.

Benson noted that the council would have a better opportunity to solidify the direction of the area once the inventory of downtown properties is completed

aswift@newstote.com