The Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, located on Camp Dodge in Johnston, trains more than 11,000 law enforcement personnel each year. Over the past several years the air quality and issues with mold levels inside the facility have been a source of concern. In addition, issues with the plumbing and HVAC system continue to cause problems. In recent years leaders of the ILEA have started to look for alternate locations for the facility.

In an effort to keep the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in Johnston, Representative Jake Highfill and Senator Brad Zaun have worked to ensure that this facility will remain a part of the Johnston Community.

In the RIFF (Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund) fund, the state appropriated $1.4 million for Fiscal Year 2019 and $10.8 million for FY 2020 to rehab the building.

Construction is ahead of schedule for the full diamond interchange off of I-35/80 at 100th Street. The interchange is expected to be complete at the end of July. Although the new interchange is in the City of Urbandale, it will provide a new point of access to the Johnston Community.

Click here to view an aerial video from the City of Urbandale that shows the progress on the interchange.

The City of Johnston continues to move forward on the Johnston Town Center Project. As the City prepares to review proposals from developers, the process of acquiring property and preparing the property for development is proceeding.

The acquisition of several new pieces of property is currently in progress. The sites are expected to be added to list of aggregated properties in the Town Center area. This includes properties at 5505 NW 62nd Avenue,5600 NW 63rd Place and  5605 NW 62nd Avenue. As illustrated above, this “super block” will soon be ready for redevelopment.

The City of Johnston will move the project along one step further as they are expected be engaged in the demolition of several properties. With these actions, developers can see tangible evidence that the City is ready for the next steps. Stay tuned for continued updates on the Town Center project.

Gov. Kim Reynolds recently announced a partnership between the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and Iowa Workforce Development to conduct laborshed studies across Iowa. The studies will begin in July and will be conducted at no cost to communities.

Click here to learn more.

The City of Johnston is working with Snyder and Associates to conduct a community-wide Walkability Study that will address overall connectivity of the sidewalks, trails, neighborhoods, schools, parks and businesses in Johnston.

The City is actively soliciting public input to help identify areas of opportunities and areas of concern. Visit the Walkability Study Map Social Page and submit comments by June 18, 2018 so that data can be incorporated and addressed in the study.

Click here to learn more.

Phase II of Construction has Begun

NW 70th Avenue between Peckham Street and NW 86th Street has been closed since April 16.

Pavement has been removed, and grading of the roadbed has begun.

The channel grading on the south side of NW 70th Avenue has been completed, along with the installation of twin 60-inch pipes that will be under the south leg of the roundabout at Peckham Street.

Water main installation west of Peckham Street has been completed. Water main and storm sewer installation east of Peckham Street is underway.

Click here to learn more.

RFQ Deadline For Johnston Town Center Extended

The Johnston City Council has extended the deadline for responses to the Johnston Town Center RFQ to 1 PM on Friday, June 15th.

This extension is partially related to action in the Iowa legislature regarding the authority of cities to develop projects using a lease purchase financing mechanism. Legislation awaiting the Governor’s signature would clarify the authority to use this method for projects such as the Town Center. If enacted, the City of Johnston’s Town Center project and the proposed Lease-Purchase arrangement for a City Hall could proceed. The City may also simply wished to provide developers with more time to respond. Developers are encouraged to take advantage of the extension for preparing a response to the RFQ.

Land Acquisition Update: The City of Johnston has acquired or received signed purchase agreements for all properties within the 18.5-acre Town Center area apart from 5707 & 5645 NW 62nd Ave. and 5630, 5626 and 5650 NW 63rd PL.

Lease-Purchase Note: With the lease-purchase financing model the developer’s financial commitment for construction of a new City Hall would conclude upon satisfactory completion of the building. The developer would not be required to retain ownership.

For more information contact the City of Johnston Economic Development Department at 515-727-7774 or email Adam Plagge at aplagge@cityofjohnston.com.

The Johnston City Council recently considered and approved the site plan for the project titled Dental Studios of Iowa. Updated documents include a preliminary floor plan for the new facility. Watch for more information about West Park!

The new 100th Street interchange off of I-35/80 has been creating a lot buzz for the southwest corner of the Johnston community. Located near 100th Street and NW 54th Avenue is the West Park Office Building and West Park Office Plaza, both which provide a great opportunity for future development in Johnston.

At their April 30th meeting the Planning and Zoning Commission approved the proposed site plans for a 3,900 square foot building that would house a dental office. The operating title presented to the Commission was Dental Studios of Iowa. The property, located at 5495 NW 100th street in the West Park Office Plaza. is currently owned by All Pointes Development LC / Knapp Properties according to documents published by the City of Johnston and the Polk County Assessor.

A business entity search on the Secretary of State web site shows that three companies with a variant on the name Dental Studio of Iowa/Central Iowa/Johnston have registered in 2018.

Iowa Commercial Advisors (previously NAI Optimum) has entered into an agreement with Cushman & Wakefield, a global leader in commercial real estate services. Leadership within Cushman & Wakefield Iowa Commercial Advisors will continue with Kurt Mumm as President and Christopher Stafford as Senior Vice President. The headquarters will be in West Des Moines.

Learn more here.