LYNN -- The city's new development director told a gathering of local community and business leaders that downtown Lynn is rebounding strongly, mostly due to private real estate investment.

Harold "Hal" McGaughey presented a slide show Thursday to the Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce during a breakfast meeting at the Porthole Pub, where he highlighted recent changes in the cityscape.

"Anyone who has been to the downtown lately knows there is a lot going on," he said, noting $50 million in projects are currently under way within a relatively compressed business district.

According to McGaughey, the city is contributing to the progress by building ornamental lighting, laying brick sidewalks and selling off its unwanted lots and buildings to prospective developers. He emphasized that the relocation of Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority passenger buses from a staging area along Mount Vernon Street and pickup stops in Central Square, to the commuter rail station on Market Street, creates a centralized public transportation hub amid the business district.

McGaughey also noted that 97 additional downtown housing units should be ready for occupancy by spring as a result of private investment in the neighborhood.

Among the projects high on McGaughey's praise list: the city's $19 million police station, which is under construction; the $3 million rehabilitation of the former Hotel Edison, an art deco structure transformed by the Gilberg family into office space and already fully occupied; 90 Exchange St., a former commercial building being converted by Jonathan Bedard to artist lofts with workspaces; the Boston Machine building on Willow Street, where more lofts are under construction; the renovation of storefronts along lower Washington Street by developer Michael Russo; and the revamping of the former LeVar's nightclub building at the corner of Union and Washington streets into commercial office space, where Labor Ready is the prime tenant.

In addition to these projects, McGaughey said downtown development is being bolstered by the purchase of the landmark Four Stories building at the corner of Broad and Washington streets by the Phelan family, which plans to relocate its law firm there. He called attention to other redevelopment in Central Square, including renovation of the former Klemm's building by the Mayo Group, the recent sale of the Arnold's Stationery building and others in the immediate area.

McGaughey said the Lynn Economic Development and Industrial Corp. and the city's community development offices have been relocated to City Hall, and their former quarters in Central Square sold to Raw Arts, a successful program that provides art therapy to at-risk youth.

Continuing his litany of success stories, the development director cited the growth of Willow Labs and Medical Center, which occupies a portion of the Eastern Bank building on Union Street.

The laboratory and its pharmacy have brought 150 jobs to the city, he said. He also mentioned that Lowell Gray, founder and former owner of the Internet service provider Shore.Net, plans to convert the Hotel Oxford into residential units and open an upscale eatery on Oxford Street at the former Joseph's restaurant.

Although most of the projects under way were begun under former Development Director Stephen Harausz, the new director assured the audience the momentum would continue with their help.

"We want you to join the team. We need you to join the team," he said, adding that it's vital to change the public's negative perception of the city. He suggested that whenever the opportunity arises, supporters recite the examples contained in his slide show.

Asked whether private investors such as Nick Lopardo are still interested in building a sports rink at North Shore Community College (NSCC), McGaughey explained that his office is not involved in the process. "That's between Mr. Lopardo and the college," he said.

NSCC College President Wayne Burton told those gathered that the college would do whatever is needed to make such a dream become a reality.

McGaughey said city development officials are engaged in discussions with GE in an effort to create housing on land the company no longer uses. He also pointed to the recent reopening of Federal Street, which had been closed to motor vehicle traffic because it bisected the GE industrial grounds.

The street opening is a sign that the relationships between the city and its largest employer have improved, he said.

As for the waterfront, McGaughey said a key tract of land once owned by the city has been sold to The Miles Group, which plans to construct hundreds of high-rise condominiums on the northern stretch of the Lynnway. Dialogue is continuing with Joseph O'Donnell and National Grid in an effort to make the so-called South Harbor site near the Gen. Edwards Bridge more viable to development, he said. However, the pace is slow because the plan involves burying electrical transmission lines that cross over the property, he said.

Other projects that directly involve the city, although not yet under way, include rehabilitating the former water pumping station on Walnut Street and surrounding it with townhouses; and acquiring through tax delinquency the former Carr Leather factory on Boston Street, which is environmentally contaminated but could someday become part of the nearby Old Neighborhood Meats operation.

McGaughey said his office intends to survey the downtown to determine how much space is available in total, in terms of commercial and residential footage, and also what potential exists to entice vendors and future investment.

"We can't sell something unless we know what we have, and what we have is changing," he said.