Visions For Vacancies: What Should Move in to Lee Building?

It's a natural process: Businesses move in, businesses move out. Although town officials and residents typically prefer to see the former happening, vacant storefronts and empty lots are a part of life in a suburban town—start-ups shut down, national chains cut back and falling profits sometimes force a mom-and-pop business to shutter.

In a new feature on Needham Patch, we will be asking readers what you would like to see move in to various vacant spots around town. Through Visions for Vacancies, readers can have their say and sound off on what a business property should become before plans are drawn.

About once every week, or as vacancies become available, Needham Patch will highlight a vacant building or structure in the Needham community and ask for reader input.

This week, let's look at the Lee Building, at 109-123 Highland Ave.—located at the busy intersection of Highland and Second avenues, next to and across the street from .

A quick Web search reveals the building has available a total of 11,803 square feet of space, with units ranging from 2,084 sq. ft. to 6,719 sq. ft. on three floors. The building is being marketed by Boston Realty Advisors.

So what would you like to see here? A business at this location could easily draw customers or clients from both Needham and Newton, not to mention traffic from I-95/I-93/Route 128. What type of business or office do you think would thrive at this location? What does this part of town need? Share your visions for this vacancy and thoughts about the building in the comments below.

Have a vacancy suggestion? E-mail becca.manning@patch.com. Out and about and see a spot we should feature? Snap a photo with your phone and text the image, with address or general location, to 781-217-4233.