The City of Johnston is proud to report 2019 as a solid growth year for our community, led by $66.6 million in new taxable valuation. This includes 213 new residential units and $6.8 million in new commercial projects. Additionally, the City focused considerable efforts in 2019 on planning and construction of the Johnston Town Center. It began the extensive process to update the City's Comprehensive Plan, the Thrive 2040 Plan, both of these projects are poised to set the City for further growth and prosperity for many years into the future. The statistics are part of the 2019 Community Development Department Annual Report, which can be viewed here.
"Just as we've seen over the past few years, in 2019, the City maintained a steady and sustainable growth pattern while undertaking projects to ensure the prosperity of our community for years to come," said Community Development Director David Wilwerding. "With the completion of the Johnston Town Center, the City will have its "downtown" for the first time. At the same time, the Thrive 2040 Plan will ensure City leaders have a clear road map for the future of our community for years to come."
As part of the 2019 Community Development Annual Report, Wilwerding predicts the following for 2020:
- Increased permits for single-family residential and town-home development as a result of new and pending developments.
- The City, in partnership with Hansen Companies will continue the construction of the first phases of the Johnston Town Center, including a ribbon-cutting for the new City Hall and commencement of construction of the first commercial structures.
- The City will continue implementation efforts to spur commercial redevelopment within the Merle Hay Road Gateway Area.
- The City will continue to expand utility services to NW Saylorville Drive Annexation Area to prepare the area for future development in the wake of increased accessibility to the Highway 141 corridor as a result of the flyover ramp being constructed at Interstate 35/80.