Franciscan Villa is located at 620 West Scott in Springfield. The south portion of the building was the original St. John’s hospital built around 1904 and the north section was added in the early 1940s.  The Kitchen purchased the facility from The Assemblies of God in 1987 and then converted it to housing for the low and very low-income seniors and disabled in the community.   

MHDC awarded The Kitchen and Carlson Gardner funds to renovate Franciscan Villa.  The Kitchen transferred ownership to a new single purpose entity but remains as the operating general partner.  Carlson Gardner  will be responsible for development, construction, and lease up, as well as ongoing assistance in the management, however, it will have no ownership in the property.  The Kitchen continues to own and manage the complex throughout the program period in accordance with the requirements of the program. 

Before renovation, there were 92 units consisting of a mix of efficiency, one bedroom and two bedroom units.  However, due to a lack of funding, only 74 of the units were occupied.   Lack of funds prevented the other 14 units from being made habitable.  The renovation plan refurbished all the existing units and built out the fourth floor so as to add twelve additional units.  As a result, housing and supportive services can now be provided to an additional 30 people not presently receiving them.  There are a total of 104 units consisting of 92 efficiency units, 11 one-bedroom units and 1 two-bedroom unit.  The one and two-bedroom units have complete kitchens and a private bath.  All efficiency units have private baths and 68 of the 92 efficiency units have kitchenettes consisting of a sink, refrigerator and microwave.

The exterior of the building was restored to its original look and historic design.  Roofs were completely replaced; parking lots redone and a security entrance gate added to the lot contiguous to the building; the grounds were renovated and landscape upgraded; corner monuments/fencing added; and entrance features designed.  The mechanical systems in the building were completely redone and upgraded, all common areas refurbished and additional community space added. There is a new 3,000-square-foot brick maintenance/storage building, so as to compliment the original building.  The common kitchen and dining area have been upgraded, and The Kitchen continues to offer full meals, laundry and other services to residents at a nominal rate.

On-site management office: 620 Scott Street, Springfield, MO 65802; Tel/Fax: 417-869-5417.
 

Link to March/April Vintage Voice article (pdf format)

"Before" and "after" photos