New West-MEC campus offers technical training for high-demand skilled professions

AVONDALE, Arizona, (October 20, 2025) – Full-service construction management firm GCON Inc. joined today with project partners and leaders from the City of Avondale, Arizona, and the Agua Fria High School District for a grand opening ribbon cutting of West-MEC Career Academy at Agua Fria High School.

The new West-MEC campus spans 31,000 square feet in four state-of-the-art buildings offering technical training for high schoolers in the high-demand electrical, diesel technology, welding, and air conditioning skilled professions.

The campus is part of the larger West-MEC, or Western Maricopa Education Center, a public school district that has partnered with 17 Arizona elementary and high school member districts. At present, it provides Career and Technical Education (CTE) to more than 37,000 students from 48 high schools across the state.

Located on five acres at 530 E. Riley Dr., adjacent to Agua Fria High School, the West-MEC Career Academy at Agua Fria High School is the organization’s latest campus, giving students direct access to specialized instructors, training, and industry-standard equipment to prepare them for careers in the trades.

“The partnership between West-MEC and Agua Fria has reached an exciting milestone with the opening of the Career Academy,” said West-MEC Superintendent Dr. Scott Spurgeon. “More than just a campus, this collaboration highlights how strategic partnerships expand opportunities for students. The new academy opens doors for students who previously lacked access to West-MEC’s innovative programs, giving them the opportunity to gain valuable skills and earn workforce credentials that prepare them for a successful future.”

“When West-MEC, Agua Fria High School, the City of Avondale, SPS Architects and GCON first met, we shared a vision of creating new opportunities for our students, and today, that vision has become a reality,” said Agua Fria High School District Superintendent Mark Yslas. “We deeply appreciate this partnership and look forward to the many ways it will empower our students to explore their passions and pursue meaningful career futures.”

GCON served as the construction manager at risk for the West-MEC Career Academy at Agua Fria High School. SPS+Architects is the project architect.

“GCON was honored to build this campus for West-MEC,” said GCON Vice President of Public Works Tiffany Fisher. “This was an extremely ambitious project timeline, requiring building out of sequence and securing 18 different permits to keep construction progress on track. It was a huge lift for everyone involved, and we’re deeply grateful for the creativity and coordination across the entire team. Seeing students thrive in this beautiful new learning environment makes every effort worthwhile.”

Buildings at the West-MEC Agua Fria location were custom-designed and delivered to support their niche purposes. The welding building accommodates multiple gasses and compressed air, and is outfitted with a state-of-the-art exhaust filtration system, allowing students to master advanced welding techniques.

The air conditioning and electrical programs are housed in a single building with its own classrooms and labs. Both spaces feature high-tech training boards and safety shutoffs, ensuring a controlled environment as students learn to troubleshoot electrical, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.

Designed to train students on the repair and maintenance of diesel-powered vehicles and equipment, the diesel building is outfitted with extended-height doors to accommodate semi trucks.

Other elements of the campus include various student common areas and an administration building with an open-ceiling concept, a central conference room with extensive baffling for sound mitigation, and floors finished with custom-painted designs.

The building’s exterior features steel canopies in West-MEC colors, and a patterned facade created by affixing metal panels of various sizes onto a masonry finish.

The West-MEC Agua Fria campus was completed on a fast-tracked, six-month construction timeline to accommodate delivery by the start of the Fall 2025 school year. At its height, the job site was home to 125 workers and more than 20 trades.

Now complete, the West-MEC Career Academy at Agua Fria High School is able to support more than 200 students each year.

TUCSON, AZ (October 17, 2025) — Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR closed the sale of Glenn East Apartments at 2333 E. Glenn St. for $4,425,000—above the $4.4 million asking price. Allan Mendelsberg and Joey Martinez, Principals and Multi-family specialists, represented both buyer and seller in the transaction.​

The 46-unit property sits on 1.07 acres in central Tucson, directly off Campbell Avenue and minutes north of the University of Arizona and Banner University Medical Center. Built in 1963 with recent upgrades, the masonry and wood-frame complex totals 32,620 square feet across 12 one-bedroom/one-bath units and 34 two-bedroom/one-bath units.​

The property sold at $94,148 per unit and $140.25 PSF after receiving 12 competitive offers within a two-week marketing period. An attractive assumable loan at 3.7% debt made the investment opportunity even more compelling for buyers looking to minimize financing costs.​

Glenn East benefits from its proximity to Campbell Plaza, home to Flower Child, Dough Bird, Baja Cafe, Albertsons, Ace Hardware, and Ross—anchoring one of Tucson’s busiest eastside corridors near the Catalina Foothills. With the University of Arizona, Banner University Medical Center, and Arizona Cancer Center all within a short distance, the property draws consistent demand from students and young professionals.​

The complex includes on-site laundry, assigned covered parking, a sparkling pool, and landscaped courtyards with artificial turf, desert plants, and mature shade trees—all set against the view of the Catalina Mountains. Select units have undergone interior upgrades, including modernized kitchens with new cabinetry, tile backsplash, updated flooring, and refreshed bathrooms. Two-bedroom units feature full air conditioning and upgraded electrical panels, while one-bedroom units still operate on evaporative cooling—presenting value-add potential for new ownership.​

With below-market rents and operational upside, Glenn East offers immediate opportunities for cash flow improvement. The property closed on October 2, 2025, and was sold with a neighboring single-family home at 2315 E Glenn Street.

Source: RED Comp #12132

Bell Bank acquired the 37,495 sq. ft. property on Scottsdale Road

Scottsdale (October 17, 2025) – CBRE has announced the $10.3 million sale of a 37,495-square-foot office property prominently located at 14631 North Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale, Ariz. Bell Bank acquired the property in a transaction that highlights the scarcity of mid-size office buildings in the area, particularly those with frontage along Scottsdale Road.

CBRE’s Geoffrey Turbow, who partnered with Shay Bolton and Kirill Azovtsev of Savills, represented a private seller in the transaction.

“This property is a generational asset in the Scottsdale Airpark submarket, where buildings of this size and quality rarely trade – on average, just once every 30 years,” said Turbow, senior vice president at CBRE. “We launched the offering with flexibility from the seller, allowing it to appeal to both owner-users and value-add investors. Ultimately, we secured a buyer who will benefit from both immediate cash flow and long-term occupancy potential. With strong in-place tenancy, excellent visibility with frontage on Scottsdale Road, and proximity to premier amenities like Scottsdale Quarter and Kierland Commons, this transaction reflects the strength and scarcity of high-performing office assets in Scottsdale.”

The property sits on 112,000 square feet of land and is currently 84.5% leased. Bell Bank intends to occupy the building and expand its footprint over time as space becomes available, aligning with its long-term growth strategy.

 Located in the heart of Scottsdale Airpark, the property benefits from excellent access to major transportation arteries and is surrounded by abundant retail, dining, and lifestyle amenities.