GORHAM – With available parking limited along several Gorham Village streets, town leaders are studying possible scenarios to ease the crunch.

In a workshop Tuesday, the Town Council heard an analysis of its downtown parking situation and potential remedies outlined in a progress report of a study from Thomas Farmer, a landscape architect at Terrence J. DeWan & Associates in Yarmouth.

“Our team will need to talk to the town planner (Tom Poirier) and the zoning administrator (David Galbraith) about next steps,” Farmer said on Wednesday. “There’s still some work to be done but yes, the final report will have recommendations.”

Farmer in Tuesday’s meeting pointed to the potential of adding some parking spaces along College Avenue, Cross Street and Main Street; adding parking on two residential properties the town owns downtown; linking parking lots; and seeking parking agreements with private property owners.

But, Farmer said, there have not been discussions yet with property owners.

Michael Phinney, chairman of the Town Council, said some business owners might be reluctant to give up parking spaces in their lots.

“Right now,” Phinney said, “we don’t have anything to show them.”

But, Town Councilor Sherrie Benner suggested opening discussions with business owners to receive feedback.

“We’d love to be part of the conversation,” Carson Lynch, owner of The Gorham Grind on South Street, told the council.

The parking study also examined town-owned houses, at 21 Main St. and 10 Preble St., as potential sites to add parking. The Town Council has yet to decide the ultimate fate of the two buildings, which could be razed to make way for parking.

Some existing downtown parking also could spell trouble for drivers. Phinney said the parking spaces, which are perpendicular to South Street, in front of Robie Gym, are difficult to exit.

“I don’t think it’s very safe,” Phinney said.

The study is also looking at the feasibility of adding two sidewalks. One would cross South Street from Green Street and another across Route 25 from a point near its intersection with Pine Street.

Poirier said the parking study was authorized in June and was approved for a cost of no more than $13,900.

Town Councilor Benjamin Hartwell tossed a new idea into the mix to solve the parking crunch. Hartwell said more side streets could be added through the large downtown blocks.

In another matter in Tuesday’s workshop, the Town Council discussed the town-owned McLellan House, 77 South St., which needs repairs.

The town leases the building on a monthly basis to Presumpscot Regional Land Trust, which sublets space to a nonprofit newspaper, Gorham Times, and an upstairs apartment to a tenant. The house, built about 1803, is in the South Street Historic District, designated several years ago by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Town Manager David Cole said estimates to repair the McLellan House range up to as much as $172,000 including a new roof, siding repairs, electrical service and window restoration.

“I’m not sure how good the bones of the building are,” Cole said.

Michael Parker, president of the land trust, said the interior has plaster walls and windows are porous.

Phinney asked for a site walk to view the interior condition. Town councilors will get a look for themselves at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29.

Future options could include restoration, razing or selling the building.

“I’m in support of preserving this building,” Town Councilor Bruce Roullard said.

Stefan Jackson, land trust executive director, said the organization enjoys its home there.

“It provides a fantastic location for us,” Jackson said.

Marylee Dodge of Gorham, a former land trust board member, opposed demolishing the house, and said tearing it down would “put a dent in the district.”

“It gives you a feeling of comfort,” Dodge said about the historic district with 19 landmarks, including the Baxter Museum.