STEUBENVILLE, OH—Franciscan University of Steubenville purchased the Sleep Inn and Suites on July 20 and announced plans to transform it into a new men’s residence named Blessed Solanus Casey Hall. Offering Franciscan’s one-of-a-kind residential experience, including its own chaplains, Residence Life staff, and households, the residence will provide housing for 140 students this fall.

“We could not be more excited about the opening of Blessed Solanus Casey Hall,” said Father Dave Pivonka, TOR ’89, president of Franciscan University. “For us, this is not only another significant milestone as we continue to expand and educate more students. It is a sign of the Lord’s blessing and young people’s deepening desire for the values of community, encounter, and conversion that permeate Franciscan. I am grateful to Bill Williams, owner of the Sleep Inn and Suites, for allowing the hotel he built to become a home away from home for future generations as they are educated to go out and transform the world.”

Williams said he was inspired to sell the property when Brenan Pergi, Franciscan University’s vice president of Operations, told him about Father Pivonka’s vision and the exciting new developments at the University.

“I realized my hotel had great potential to become part of the future and growth of student housing and to provide lifelong opportunities for students in generations to come,” said Williams.

Following the signing of the purchase agreement, Williams will present a generous donation from the proceeds of the sale to representatives from Steubenville High School and Catholic Central High School to support their football programs.

Blessed Solanus Casey Hall will offer a premium residence life experience including a grotto dedicated to Blessed Mother Mary, larger student rooms, private bathrooms, and unique amenities such as a turf field, fire pits, exercise and weight room, hammock village, and grab-and-go food service. Plans are also underway for a future pickleball court, expanded patio, and event space. The new outdoor facilities, which will be added over the next 12 months, will be open to all Franciscan students, not only Casey Hall residents, making it a destination for all students to enjoy.

“We are excited about this addition to our residential student experience,” said Dr. Dan Dentino ’97, vice president of Student Life. “It is a way to add needed housing and provide exceptional community gathering and student engagement space.”

Heavenly Coach of Steubenville will provide regular shuttle services to the main campus, and a new well-lighted sidewalk will make Casey Hall a short, 10-minute walk to Christ the King Chapel. Security cameras will be installed throughout the property, which will be fully monitored by campus security, and there will be an enhanced security presence at all lower campus halls.

According to Phil Rook, Franciscan University’s director of Real Estate Development, the new residence is projected to increase the city’s tax revenues and have a beneficial impact on the local economy.

“Casey Hall is another great example of how Franciscan University benefits our community,” said Rook. “It will allow us to bring in 100 new students, and with all the friends and families who will be visiting them, our local businesses, restaurants, shops, and other hotels will be busier than ever.”

Blessed Solanus Casey, who died in Detroit, Michigan, in 1957 and is one step away from being canonized a saint, was a Franciscan friar with the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin.

“Naming the new residence after Blessed Solanus Casey has a special significance for us as a Franciscan community,” said Father Pivonka. “He poured himself out doing little things out of great love and preaching the Gospel with his life. As we strive to form our students and University community in prayer and holiness, his example of simplicity and humble service is something we should all follow.”

Concept drawings of Blessed Solanus Casey Hall’s planned outdoor grounds and facilities can be found here.