Lake Wire Retirement Center, an assisted living facility in Lakeland, recently closed its doors after housing residents with mental-health needs for nearly two decades. The center, which had been operating under its current name since 2003, housed 38 residents until the end of July when Administrator Jacquelyn Dawson made the decision to sell the property to a developer. The three buildings on the property, totaling about 10,000 square feet, are set to be demolished to make way for new apartment construction.
Dawson, who had been working at the facility for 38 years and purchased the business in 2014, cited exhaustion as the reason for the closure, stating that it was time for her to retire. Despite the facility's name, residents at Lake Wire Retirement Center varied in age and were not all seniors. Dawson worked diligently to help residents find new living arrangements, providing them with a 45-day notice and assisting families in the relocation process.
The facility, licensed to operate until January, had a history of compliance with state regulations, except for one citation in 2018 for failing to meet requirements related to emergency power sources. Following the citation, AHCA approved the center's emergency power plan in 2019. Despite its aging buildings dating back to the early to mid-20th century, the property does not hold any historic preservation status, allowing for its demolition without special approval. The site is currently zoned for multi-family residences, making way for potential future apartment construction without the need for rezoning.
As the center's administrator looks forward to retirement, the closure of Lake Wire Retirement Center marks the end of an era for residents who called the facility home. Dawson's dedication to assisting residents with finding new living arrangements reflects a commitment to their well-being, underscoring the compassion and care that characterized the facility during its years of operation.