What Is Being Done to Fill Vacant Storefronts on Route 38?

Now with Blockbuster going out of business in Tewksbury, are there any plans for the town to start getting some new businesses in the vacant spots?

LaShanta Magnusson

This is tremendous question and goes to the heart of one of the big issues facing Tewksbury. For an aqnswer, we turned to Selectman David Gay, who serves as vice chair of the Tewksbury Economic Development Committee.

Here is his answer:

Route 38 has slowly been filling in a few empty locations, the Mobile gas station, Direct Auto parts and a few more currently in planning stages. The town has been actively working on the re-development of the other vacant properties like Fun Land and the old police station. A combination of the Economic Development Committee, the Northern Middlesex  Council of Governments and efforts by Steve Sadwick, the Director of Community Development have been actively addressing these vacancies and are showing progress with bringing in new business to fill these vacant properties. The EDC has held a number of business networking events and are working on marketing Tewksbury as a prime location to attract new businesses. Tewksbury was recently designated an Economic Target Area in conjunction with Andover which will give the opportunity for a new business to start off will an incremental tax break."

Thank you David. And thanks to LaShanta for the question. For using her question in "You ASk ... Patch Answers" LaShanta will receive a Dunkin' Donuts gift card.