Johnston Saw $99 MIllion In Development In 2017

JOHNSTON, IA — Taxable valuation in Johnston grew by more than $99 million in 2017, led by $48 million in residential development and nearly $28 million in commercial development. A summary of development for the year was released today by the Johnston Community Development Department.

The city issued 14 new commercial permits lat year with a total assessed valuation of nearly $27.9 million and 20 commercial remodel permits with a collective $2.76 million investment. That makes 2017 the fifth best year for commercial growth, the department's annual report says.

"Unlike the other years with high valuations, this year’s growth was the result of numerous smaller projects, rather than a result of one larger project," the summary said.

The largest physical project was Beaver Drive Boat and RV Storage with a 50,520 square-foot facility. The city also issued permits for four warehouses and three new child care centers in 2017.

Residential permits issued included $21.7 million in valuation for 68 homes, the lowest level in Johnston since 1993. The city also saw permits issued for 16 townhouse or duplex permits, a value of $3.5 million, which was the lowest level since 1997. Five permits were issued for new apartments, adding 118 units with a value of $23 million. That is the third highest number of units over the past 10 years.

The report indicates single-family home growth should remain steady in 2018, along with townhome development, as the market has seen an increase in interest for detached or bi-attached townhomes.

"One of the concerns noted repeatedly over the last several years has been the lack of available

lots for single family detached residential, which has been the result of fewer and smaller
subdivisions being developed as the area emerged from the recession," the report says. "While single family permit issuance was down in 2017, there were more lots platted in 2017 than in any of the preceding
ten years. A significant portion of these lots did not come onto the market until late in 2017, thus
the stage should be set for strong residential single family permit growth in 2018."

The city permitted 68 residential lots, but 155 were created, with development expected in 2018. The city anticipates 53 additional lots will be available within the Enclave and Silkwood Pointe developments, both of which are pending rezoning early this year.

Also expected for development this year, based on site plans approved in 2017, are:

• Millers Meadow Plat 1 — 3 duplex lots and 1 single-family lot
• Brio of Johnston — 36 assisted living units, 36 skilled nursing units, 50 independent senior living units
• Bricktowne Johnston — 408 multiple-family residential units
• Vintage Cooperative Johnston — 47 multiple-family senior residential units
• Crosshaven Plat 8 — 4 single-family detached lots
• Crosshaven Townhomes Plat 1 — 18 bi-attached lots and 23 detached townhome villa lots
• Hidden Valley Estates Plat 2 — 25 single-family detached lots
• Lakeview at Silver Birch — 1 single-family detached lot
• Adam Ridge Townhomes — 42 townhome lots

Among the trends in 2018, Johnston expects to see a resurgence in single-family home development, commercial in-fill near the Northwest 62nd Street and Merle Hay Road area, interest in residential and commercial development near the new Johnston High School, and minor fluctuation in employment numbers for area businesses due to consolidation among major agricultural technology companies.