It has become an iconic part of Scranton‘s history, and now it’s beginning a new chapter.
The Scranton paper & supply company is in the early stages of a new mission: giving affordable housing options to the people of Scranton.
The iconic Pennsylvania paper & supply company in Scranton is looking to give new housing options to the people of the city and beyond.
Known as the Dunder Mifflin paper company featured in “The Office”, the landmark is looking to be renovated into new affordable apartments.
“This is currently a dream; it’s nowhere close to being a done deal, and we’re in pre-development stage, so we’re exploring all different possibilities. It would be wonderful to bring additional housing to downtown Scranton,” says Douglas Fink, CEO & President of Pennsylvania Paper & Supply Company.
The renovations will be part of the state’s housing action plan to modernize buildings like the paper company. The transition will be one of the state’s largest developments, with roughly 180 units planned.
Fink says he would love to see the two buildings that make up the company put to good use after the business moves out.
“These buildings have been in my family since the 60s, and I’m the steward of them; I’d love to see them developed into their next youthful life,” notes Fink,
The entire 225,000-square-foot facility on the block would be transformed into modern apartments. After calling the facility home for over 60 years, modernizing the building gives Fink’s family business a chance to move to a newer facility, even if it is located nearby.
Fink explains that “the next chapter of our company is going to be on a single-story level at a more modern distribution center”.
Several similar warehouses in Scranton have been transformed into housing in recent years to meet demand for affordable housing.
“I think it’s a phenomenal experience to live in an older building that used to be something different,” states Fink.
While the project is in the early stages, Fink says modernizing the buildings will take a lot of collaboration.
“To get this done, it’s going to take the cooperation of state, federal, city, local, and private investors; it’s going to be an all-hands project on deck to get this converted,” remarks Fink.
The PA Paper Supply Company is also home to the archives of the Scranton Times.
Leadership says that before renovations begin, the archives will also be moved to a new location for safekeeping.