“Sometimes it’s not the size of the deal, but the problem it solves,” said Molly Gilbert, CCIM, Office Specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR.
Gilbert recently helped Pima County Joint Technology Education District #11 (JTED) solve a major problem surrounding student and community safety at their Camino Seco campus. JTED provides career and technical education programs for high school students across Pima County, equipping young people with hands-on skills for in-demand careers.
Greg D’Anna, Director of Public Relations at JTED, explained that as programs at the Camino Seco campus grew in popularity and enrollment increased, the campus began running out of parking. Students were forced to use overflow parking on the residential street outside, creating a dangerous situation for both students and neighbors.
JTED had their eye on 1.6 acres of land at 8715 E. 21st Street, situated just slightly off campus from the school at 8727 E. 22nd St, Tucson, AZ 85710, but had little success reaching the owner to start the conversation about selling. Gilbert made contact, opened the door, and got the deal rolling.
The property used to be a suburban ranch but had long since been abandoned. Over time it had become an eyesore and a genuine hazard; overgrown landscaping, stables collapsing, and rodent burrowing. The result of this $350,000 acquisition was a win for everyone involved. JTED gained parking for their growing student population, the property owner was compensated and relieved of the burden of an abandoned ranch, and the neighbors finally saw a long-standing eyesore removed from their block and no longer have to deal with the chaos of students parking on the street.
The new lot will be fenced, secured, and feature a highly visible crosswalk on 21st Street, keeping safety at the forefront.
Getting the deal done wasn’t without its challenges. Gilbert had to secure an appraisal, ALTA Survey and Phase I Environmental in less than 30 days. Additionally, Gilbert had to research whether there was a well and septic on-site which both presented challenges since neither was registered with the State or Pima County.
D’Anna shared, “We are very happy with the work Molly did on this. It’s something we had our eye on for a while, and she was able to make it happen!” He also noted that the additional space opens the door for JTED to grow further, accommodating more students, events, parents, and staff down the road.
JTED’s campuses are expanding and have growing waiting lists. The waiting list last year was 800, and now it’s 400. Camino Seco’s campus has struggled to keep pace with Tucson’s growing population, and this acquisition finally gives them the space and opportunity to do so. If students aren’t able to attend, they age out and never get the opportunity to be served by JTED, losing out on career skills that could shape their futures.
It’s not the size of the deal, but the problem and opportunities it solved. This is a great investment and improvement for the kids of Tucson.
Photo & Video Credit: Pima JTED
