To support downtown revitalization, possible zoning revisions were identified, such as revisions to encourage multi-use buildings, combined or shared parking lots, and development of a sign ordinance. The Downtown is home to the Courthouse, Town Hall, Public Library, the Opera House, as well as the banks, service and retail businesses. The 1996 Derry Downtown Profile emphasized the need to focus and expand upon this existing core of services so as to further support the Downtown as a service destination point as a strategy to restore economic health in the Downtown. Strengthening the cultural features of the Downtown, as well as improvements to the visual and physical appearance, will support economic revitalization. The importance of Downtown revitalization to the Town as a whole also is reflected in the Economic Development Element of this Plan.
Downtown sports a wide range of cultural facilities and events.
The Derry Public Library, the Opera House, the Veteran s Hall, the Fire House Historical Museum, the schools, the churches, MacGreggor Park and Bandstand, and the West Side Community Center are among the Downtown s features. Cultural events and groups that have occurred or met in the Downtown include Derryfest , the Interfaith Choir, the Music and Drama Company, ArtsWalk and open studios, concerts in MacGreggor Park, the Holiday Parade. Several coffee houses and stores such as Choices and More, A Wing and a Prayer, and the former Pour House and Fat Freddie s have served as gathering places and centers of cultural activities. Ideas to expand downtown cultural activities that emerged from the 1996 Downtown Profile included developing community-generated cultural programming for teens, seniors, families, developing a concert series, facilitating more resident performing groups and touring company presentations at the Opera House, developing a pocket park next to the Adams Memorial Building, and developing trailhead facilities to complement the Pathways project. Traffic and Parking Additional parking facilities, alternative traffic patterns, possible re-routing of Route 28, pedestrian safety improvements in sidewalks and crosswalks, were recommended actions for the Downtown emerging from the 1996 Downtown Civic profile.