“These developments are about more than housing numbers,” Healy notes. “They’re about supporting families, strengthening our school system, and allowing people who work here to actually live here.” A PUBLIC SAFETY INVESTMENT WITH COMMUNITY ROOTS Just as significant is Lee’s forthcoming public safety complex, a project exceeding $30 million that will modernize police, fire, and building department facilities while honoring the town’s architectural heritage. Construction begins this winter. The new complex will replace a century-old fire station originally designed for horse-drawn apparatus and relocate the police department from its cramped quarters in Town Hall, which dates back to 1874. The historic fire station will be preserved for future community use, while the new facility will reflect traditional New England design and incorporate modern operational needs. Town Hall itself remains a point of pride, housing a preserved historic courtroom made famous by Arlo Guthrie’s “Alice’s Restaurant,” which was filmed there and took place in real life.The space continues to serve as the setting for Select Board and civic meetings, linking Lee’s governance today with its cultural past. A BUSINESS COMMUNITY WITH CHARACTER AND DIVERSITY From the Chamber of Commerce perspective, Alexandra Heddinger, Executive Director of the Lee Chamber, describes a downtown economy that thrives on diversity and authenticity. “We’re very community-oriented,” she says. “Supporting businesses means supporting residents, culture, and place. It all goes hand in hand.” Lee’s Main Street offers an unusually global mix for a town of its size. Residents and visitors can choose from Peruvian, Burmese, Mexican, French, and New American cuisine, alongside longtime institutions such as Joe’s Diner, a local icon once frequented by 263 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 07, ISSUE 01 LEE, MA
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