Now that the Joint Technological Education District owns the entire Shannon Business Park, just north of River Road, it will focus on developing and operating the complex as one of its major training centers.

With four buildings and a one-acre vacant lot now under wing, the district’s northwest campus site has ambitious goals for teaching Pima County high schoolers vocational skills prior to graduation.

"Buying those last three buildings at the park will let the JTED expand its fire science, public safety training, and cosmetology at two of the buildings. For the last building, we’re still looking at several things to teach there," said Alex Jácome, a member of the district’s governing board.For the time being, two existing tenants will continue to pay rent to the educational district. That is a welcome source of money that Jácome said might be used to help pay for renovations.

The $1.3 million purchase of the last piece of privately held property at the business park was from Richard Spross, represented by Tim Minnehan and Bruce Suppes of CB Richard Ellis. Gary Best of Realty Executives represented JTED. The campus-style complex, at 2855 W. Master Pieces Drive, is closed for winter break. No school administrators were reachable to discuss the purchase.

Eventually, a permanent structure will be built on the vacant parcel. In the interim, Jácome said it may be used for a construction program, possibly to train students who would build houses there for Habitat for Humanity.

The JTED program, established in 2007, offers training in areas such as agriculture, business, health services, industrial and information technology, and media and marketing.