About Franciscan Square

Financed by Franciscan University of Steubenville and other developers with the help and cooperation of city and school board officials, Franciscan Square on University Boulevard serves as a gateway to the city of Steubenville and Franciscan University.

As of spring 2024, Franciscan Square includes The Inn at Franciscan Square, restaurants, businesses, and The Rink at Franciscan Square—a permanent ice rink that also provides a turf-covered green space during the off-season.

Plans are underway for even more!

The goal for Franciscan Square is to develop it into a complex that will provide hospitality, recreation, and refreshment for local community members, guests, and college students alike.

As of spring 2024, seven acres remain for future development. These development opportunities include the potential for construction of multi-use buildings including office and retail space and multifamily housing.

Franciscan University Growth

As Franciscan Square has grown since its first construction in 2015, so has Franciscan University. The University has experienced ongoing record enrollment growth. So much so, that since the early 2000s, it has acquired several hotel properties along University Boulevard and converted them into student residence halls.

Now, nearly 500 students live on lower campus with updated amenities, daily shuttle service, and new outdoor recreation facilities. These expanded campus facilities have brought a proximity and connection to Franciscan Square and made the Square more integral to student life.

A Steubenville Renaissance

Steubenville itself is experiencing a renaissance. A steady stream of families are relocating here and many Franciscan University graduates remain here to raise their children in an atmosphere aligned with their values.

Many community members are invested in making the town a better place to live, creating the First Fridays on Fourth street festivals and the Nutcracker Village, for which NBC named Steubenville one of the Merriest Main Streets in the country.

Do you want to discuss opportunities for development at Franciscan Square? Contact Phil Rook, director of Real Estate Development, at 740-284-5853 or [email protected].