Property owners plan to speak to county officials, residents about upcoming changes to facility

WADSWORTH — Owners of a Wadsworth senior living facility are planning to meet with Medina County officials following concerns about upcoming changes. On Tuesday, several Medina County officials shared their concerns regarding Liberty Residence Senior Living in Wadsworth during the weekly Medina County commissioners' meeting. During the meeting, officials shared concerns regarding the facility's conversion into an assisted living facility, the transfer of property ownership to the Woodlands of Liberty and rent increases. After further discussion, they decided to find out more and research possible ways to help the residents if need be. TJ Weyls, an attorney representing the Woodlands of Liberty LLC, later read a statement regarding the company's acquisition of the property and the expectations for the facility itself. On Aug. 1, a complaint was filed with the Medina County Common Pleas Court against the original property owner, Liberty Residence Holdings LLC. Several claims were made, including: Breach of contract, default of loan documents and failure to pay amount due. Foreclosure of mortgages and security agreement. Enforcement of rent assignments. Appointment of receiver. Following the complaint's filing, an agreed entry was filed on Aug. 3 to appoint a receiver. The statement from Weyls said after the prior owner and lender put in the agreed entry, the receiver gained control of the facilities to maintain operations and sell the property. On Jan. 23, the court approved the sale to the Woodlands of Liberty through the receiver, Weyls said in the statement. The Woodlands took over operations on Feb. 1. According to Weyls, the facility was both independent and assisted living when under previous ownership and had limited acceptance of Medicaid benefits. "Woodlands of Liberty will be a complete-assisted living facility with no limit on the number of Medicaid recipients," Weyls said in the statement. The Woodlands of Liberty sent a letter to current residents on Feb. 8, sharing the changes and stating that the apartments' rent would be raised to a flat rate of $3,500 a month, effective April 1. The flat rate would include all utilities, nursing care, three meals a day, housekeeping, laundry and all other services offered in an assisted living facility. During Tuesday's Medina County commissioners' meeting, Commissioner Steve Hambley expressed concerns about the rise in rent prices and, at that time, said many residents were paying about $1,000 a month. In Weyls' statement, he said the majority of the residents were already paying more than double that amount. "It is true that rental rates have been increased to bring them more in line with market rates, but that is necessary to ensure continued operations and even the increased rate is below market for assisted living," Weyls said in the statement. After Tuesday's meeting, Weyls said he spoke with Hambley about the changes expected for the facility. In addition, Weyls said he, along with the property owners, are tentatively meeting with county officials and current residents to talk about the changes in the next week. Contact reporter Sara Crawford at (330) 721-4063 or scrawford@medina-gazette.com.