M id A tlantic Real Estate Journal — Owners, Developers & Managers — February 2026 — 25
www.marej.com
O wners , D evelopers & M anagers
The 13,750 s/f, two-story community hub is designed to be a “one-stop shop” DIG makes Lehigh Valley debut with Allentown School District’s family/community resource ctr.
A
LLENTOWN, PA — In a milestone that signals a new era of
community-centric school de- sign in the region, DIGroup Architecture (DIG) and the Allentown School District (ASD) have officially broke ground on the first-of-its-kind Family & Community Resource Center. Located at 265 Lehigh St., on the campus of Brid- geview Academy of Health, Science, Innovation, and Tech- nology, the project marks DIG’s first school-related Architect- of-Record assignment in the Lehigh Valley Region. The 13,750 s/f, two-story community hub is designed to be a “one-stop shop” for students and families. By centralizing student enroll- ment alongside vital health, workforce development and educational services, the cen- ter aims to eliminate one-time systemic barriers to facilitate and support family success and student achievement. “DIG was founded on the premise that great architec- ture is a right, not a privilege, and should profoundly impact community equity and well- ness,” said DIG’s principal Swarupa Samant . “To have our first major assignment in the Lehigh Valley be a project as visionary as the Allentown School District’s Family & Community Resource Center is a privilege. This building is designed to bridge the gap between education and essen- tial human services, creating a welcoming and compassionate ‘front door’ for every family entering the district.” Designed to respond directly to the holistic needs of the surrounding community, the facility’s key features include: • Integrated Health Ser - vices: The center will be a resource for physical, dental and mental health services, as well as immunizations and telehealth. • Workforce & Adult Educa - tion: In collaboration with the Workforce Board Lehigh Val - ley, the facility offers dedicated space for ESL classes, resume building and career resources. • Streamlined Enrollment: The center will house the Dis- trict’s central registration staff, relocating this vital admin- istrative function into a sup- portive, community-centered environment. Partially funded through a Multi-Purpose Community
Allentown School District’s Family & Community Resource Center Facilities grant, the $11M project is slated for comple- tion in December 2026. DIG is eliminating once-inherent bar- riers to entry and streamlining access to essential services that enhance overall quality of life for all residents. MAREJ
Shown from left: LoriAnne Jones, Swarupa Samant, Elena Nestico, Evan Carroll, Paul Graebener and District Superintendent Dr. Carol D. Birks.
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