Lee Township is a small community tucked into Michigan’s southwest corner in the rural area between Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Lake Michigan.
On Tuesday, Aug. 16, the township officially broke ground on a new fire station – though construction work has already begun. The project was made possible by a $400,000 loan and $50,000 grant from Rural Development funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Total project cost is $1,068,500 with Lee Township contributing $618,500.
Township Supervisor Steve Miller presided at the brief ceremony which included state Rep. Bob Genetski, and remarked that it was the biggest thing to happen in the township.
It is a big thing: the fire station will consist of four vehicle bays with offices, bunk rooms and meeting space covering 10,220 square feet. The office area/living quarters area will include rooms for offices, meeting rooms, storage, bunk rooms, men’s and women’s bathrooms, kitchen, lounge and mechanical room. The apparatus area will include a radio room, air room, and a decontamination room.
The facility will be served by an on-site private well and septic system and will serve 4,114 rural residents.
