Lakes Region residents can hear more Wednesday night about plans to redevelop the site of a former state prison in Laconia.
The Lakes Region facility was a minimum-security prison from 1991 to 2009.
For nearly 100 years before that, it was the Laconia State School – a residential facility for people with developmental disabilities. It had a documented history of abuse, neglect and overcrowding.
Now, state and local officials have to decide what to do with the scenic, 200-acre property long-term.
They’ve contracted with a big Northeast consulting firm to find a reuse that might give the area an economic boost.
Early ideas include new housing, a resort, a sports complex or a mixed-use development.
The state commission on redeveloping the site will hold a public meeting to discuss their plans at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Laconia City Hall.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly described the Laconia State School as a mental and psychiatric institution. In fact, it was a residential facility for people with developmental disabilities.
