Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects has completed work on a new three-story building on Penn Avenue in downtown Scranton. St. Francis Commons was commissioned by Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton and constructed on a site adjacent to the St. Francis Kitchen.
This housing facility is utilized primarily by veterans discharged from the nearby VA hospital suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and in need of transitional housing. The upper two floors of The Commons now include 30 single room occupant dormitory rooms with shared kitchen and lounge spaces. The first floor is comprised of an intake desk and offices for the residential facility, a self-select food pantry, and a community relief clothing store.
Construction on the $4.6 million, 24,000 square foot building began in April 2013 and was completed in May 2014. Catholic Social Services hosted a dedication and blessing ceremony in July.
# # # # #
Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects is an award-winning architectural firm that focuses on planning, interior, and architectural design projects involving new construction, renovation, restoration, and adaptive reuse for historic properties, churches, urban housing, nonprofit organizations, higher education, and libraries. The firm’s offices are located in York, Pennsylvania and Baltimore, Maryland. Visit their website at murphdittarch.com.