Johnson College has purchased a building in Scranton for its transportation programs.
The college bought the 8,700-square-foot property at 814 Wyoming Ave. from JBAS Realty, a firm of developer John Basalyga, this week for $725,000, according to a deed filed in Lackawanna County.
Officials plan to move the college’s one-year Diesel Preventative Maintenance Technician certificate program, the two-year Diesel Truck Technology associate degree program, and parts of the two-year Automotive Technology associate degree program into the facility.
They said in a news release this week announcing the purchase that the new space will provide hands-on learning areas for students pursuing careers as transportation technicians.
“This purchase marks an exciting new chapter for Johnson College,” college President Katie Pittelli said in a statement. “Once updates are complete, the Wyoming Avenue facility will offer enhanced, hands-on learning spaces designed to support student success. We’re proud to continue investing in resources that prepare students for today’s workforce.”
The city’s Zoning Board approved a change in use of the building from commercial to educational last month. Previously, the college had pursued a plan in May that would have had a realty firm construct a 7,000-square-foot building at 1646 N. Keyser Ave. and rent it to Johnson College for its diesel program, to free up space at the main campus on North Main Avenue for other programs.
Johnson College purchased an automotive repair building at 814 Wyoming Ave. in Scranton for its transportation, diesel and automotive programs. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
A rendering of the future Johnson College Transportation Technology Center at 814 Wyoming Ave. in Scranton. The college plans to move its transportation programs to the site, with classes starting in the spring of next year. (Submitted)
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Johnson College purchased an automotive repair building at 814 Wyoming Ave. in Scranton for its transportation, diesel and automotive programs. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
However, the college switched gears to instead buy the larger Wyoming Avenue building from JBAS Realty for the diesel and automotive programs. The vacated space at the main campus will be repurposed to accommodate the expansion of existing programs or launch new ones in response to emerging industry needs, according to the college.
Basalyga’s firm bought the former Long Life Spring, Brake & Alignment shop in 2021. The eight-bay property is used for storage of the company’s construction supplies, materials and equipment, and as a distribution center for The Times-Tribune, Basalyga said last month.
College officials said the building is located in a neighborhood historically connected to the automotive industry, and will continue that legacy by preparing the next generation of transportation professionals.
Classes at the facility are expected to begin in the spring.
The new building will be the college’s third satellite location. The others are the CAN DO Training Center inside the Humboldt Industrial Park in Hazle Twp., and program labs at Simplex Homes and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport.