For Town Administrator Christopher Brittain, that identity is rooted in continuity and adaptation. Once a national leader in paper production and marble quarrying—Lee marble can still be found in landmarks such as the U.S. Capitol, Grant’s Tomb, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Arlington National Cemetery—the town has steadily transitioned into a more diversified economy. Advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, tourism, and small business now coexist alongside Lee’s historic core, creating resilience that many peer communities strive to achieve. “Lee has always been a working town,” Brittain explains.“While tourism is important, we’re not solely reliant on it. We’ve maintained a diverse economy, strong local employment, and a downtown that still feels like a real town rather than just a seasonal destination.” A DOWNTOWN SHAPED BY PLANNING AND PRESERVATION Lee’s downtown remains one of its most defining assets. Centered around a classic New England streetscape of historic buildings, including the last remaining Carnegie Library in Berkshire County, town green, and a Congregational church crowned by what is believed to be the tallest wooden steeple in New England, the downtown has avoided the hollowingout that has affected many small towns. That outcome is not accidental. In 2023, Lee adopted a comprehensive master plan that placed downtown revitalization, housing growth, open space, recreation, and economic development at its core. Brooke Healy, the town’s planner, was hired as part of that effort, bringing renewed capacity to implement long-range goals. While Lee’s vacancy rate remains relatively low, the town recently secured a state-supported vacant storefront grant that will provide incentives for businesses to occupy long-empty commercial spaces. An inventory conducted with the regional planning commission identified roughly a dozen vacant storefronts, several of which have already been filled, underscoring both demand and opportunity. Preservation has been equally important. Lee’s downtown retains its historic character while accommodating modern uses, allowing the town to remain visually distinctive and economically functional at the same time. EAGLE MILL AND A NEW CHAPTER FOR MAIN STREET NORTH One of the most transformative projects underway is the Eagle Mill redevelopment at the north end of Main Street. Once the site where paper was first made from wood pulp, the historic mill is being reimagined as a mixed-income residential and commercial district that preserves its industrial heritage while meeting modern needs. 261 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 07, ISSUE 01 LEE, MA
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