Turns out creating an innovation district in the suburbs is a big undertaking.

Executives in Newton and Needham have been trying to enliven two traditional suburban office parks near Route 128, hoping to draw more companies by adding restaurants, retail, and other amenities that draw more foot traffic, plus affordably priced housing a short commute away.

In a study to be released Wednesday, the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber said it has made some headway on the so-called N2 Innovation Corridor (pronounced “N-squared’’), but has also identified some challenges.

Much-needed transportation improvements, including new highway ramps on Kendrick Street and surrounding bike lanes, are underway. And Newton Mayor Setti Warren also just introduced an ambitious plan to build more housing in the city.

But most of the nearby housing remains very expensive, there is a little public transit, and the local workforce is older than those found bopping around the Seaport District or Kendall Square.

“We now know we have the ingredients to bring companies out here,’’ said Greg Reibman, president of the Newton-Needham Chamber. “Now we have to keep filling it with tenants, but we have to do more. If we just fill it with tenants, the next time there’s an economic downturn, it will all go away.’’

Working with consulting firm ­Camoin Associates, a task force involving local businesses and officials identified several ways to inject new energy into the 500-acre corridor, which stretches from the Wells Avenue office park, along Route 128 and down Highland Avenue and Needham Street to Route 9. One way is to woo a research institute as a new anchor tenant. Another would reel in more leading innovators, such as Needham-based ­TripAdvisor Inc., that could trigger a cluster of growing businesses to form around them.

There is much work underway, especially in the large office park known locally as Needham Crossing, where TripAdvisors’ new headquarters is located. Normandy Real Estate Partners, which owns a parcel there called Center 128, is in the midst of adding new office space, retail, apartments, and a hotel.

Jamie Nicholson, senior vice president at Normandy, said his company can offer businesses more customized office space than they would find in Boston — and at a lower price.

“For a company to locate downtown, there’s a rent premium, and the fact of the matter is, they’re likely going to be in an older existing office building,’’ Nicholson said. In Needham, “they can have a hand in helping to design the building to suit their needs.’’

The Wells Ave. office park is also going through a redesign and has seen rising tenant demand for spaces, according to Jordan Berns, director of acquisitions for its manager, Jumbo Capital.

Geoff Cramer, chief executive of small business marketing firm SocialMadeSimple, said “there are things to love’’ and “things to hate’’ about his location.

“Wells Avenue is still a drab office park, and our office is still kind of ugly,’’ Cramer said. “Nothing has changed as much as the philosophy’’ about building a more vibrant business district, he added, “but I think that’s really big.’’

Jim Damicis, a senior vice president for Camoin who worked on the N2 report, said the area needs more transit options, plus common spaces and street-level attractions where workers can interact and exchange ideas.

Companies “can’t become isolated kingdoms where everyone stays within their walls,’’ he said.

Michael Bodley can be reached at michael.bodley@globe.com.