Enhanced Autism Center To Open Soon
The new and expanded Northeast Regional Autism Center at Friendship House is "right on target for completion" for late October, according to Brian Doran, project manager, and architect with Hemmler + Camayd.
"We haven't had to modify the plans. It's coming to life just as thought-through and worked out with the staff at Friendship House," said Mr. Doran. "People are pleased with what they're seeing, especially in the common play area."
"At this point in the project, the contractors are doing the finish work: installation of ceilings, painting, carpeting, and cabinetry. Really we're in the home stretch right now with the renovation work."
Begun last March on the Scranton campus, the project is "more renovation than new construction" since the new Center will be nestled within the existing 52,000 sq. ft. of the Friendship House Administration Building at 1509 Maple Street. The center will have its own separate entrance at the eastern end of the building.
Upon entering, children and staff will descend to the main floor and enter a reception area. Open and adjacent to the reception space is the "roofed" courtyard bathed in natural light from skylights. The courtyard provides a year-round play area for social interaction as well as recreation and physical skills-building. Corridors are wide-enough for Big Wheels. The facility also has a dining room with a full kitchen where children can learn to cook.
The parking lot adjacent to the new Center will also be redesigned and expanded, and equipped with a water-run-off system, using funds from the Office of Economic and Community Development, City of Scranton. This phase is to begin late September.
The building renovation is funded with private dollars with major funding from The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. Substantial gifts were also received from numerous local foundations, businesses, board, staff and individuals.
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