Johnston Gateway District
Greater Des Moines Partnership Chief Operations Officer Tiffany Tauscheck was joined by John Schmitz, Parks Director for the City of Johnston, and Adam Plagge, Economic Development Manager for the City of Johnston, for a discussion on the 75 acres that will establish a reinvestment district between Beaver Creek and Northwest 55thAvenue along Merle Hay Road. Redevelopment will include the following:
- Ignit Sports & Fitness Facility
- Gateway Park Development
- Hotel and Commercial Development
- Kayak Launch Along Beaver Creek
- Ecological-Themed Hotel
The Johnston Gateway Project is unique due to its proximity to Beaver Creek. The recreational corridor, including the Greenbelt, extends far and continuously, preserving a natural element and recreational and educational opportunities for its residents. The Johnston Gateway Project will focus on the natural amenities along Beaver Creek and leverage that into supporting new recreation and supporting commercial developments. The City of Johnston has had this project in the works for a long time. Schmitz says in the past six to eight years, with the completion of other major projects like Terra Park and work on the water trails projects, now is the right time to continue development. Schmitz says with the growth of youth sports in the past few years, there is a demand for first-class facilities for different skill levels, including both competitive and beginner and recreational players. Plagge says the Ignite Sports and Fitness Facility will break ground this summer and help bring hundreds of thousands of visitors annually to the Merle Hay Road area, eventually connecting it to the water trails with the addition of the third kayak launchalong Beaver Creek.
Read about the first water trail access point opening at Beaver Creek in Johnston here.
Regional Impact
The public and private partnerships have been critical to the success of the project. With this type of collaboration, the City of Johnston can be far more efficient with the funds spent. While the building and facility will be owned by Ignit, the City of Johnston will be able to utilize the facility at a 10% rate, which exceeds the type of recreational facility they could have constructed on their own, saving on costs and opening the door to activities that wouldn’t be possible without the partnership.
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