Photo: catnap72 / E+ / Getty Images
(Johnston, IA) -- The Merle Hay Gateway Development is moving forward in Johnston.
“Johnston has seen a lot of progress. We have many large-scale projects underway. The Merle Hay Gateway area has been a focus for our city council and the residents of Johnston,” said Josh Laraby, Economic Development Director for the City of Johnston.
The development area is located off Interstate 80 at what Laraby described as one of the main entrances to Johnston via Merle Hay Road.
“It was definitely an underutilized and slightly derelict area many years ago. The city decided to make it a priority to clean up some of those properties, and we’re starting to see that come to fruition now,” said Laraby.
The project features two major developments: the Ignit Sports and Fitness Complex and Bombers Golf and Family Entertainment. Ignit will be a more than 200,000-square-foot facility with an indoor track and field house. The Bombers development will also include a hotel with over 100 rooms.
Laraby says he hopes the new developments will bring more jobs to the city. Bombers alone is expected to create 200 full-time jobs.
He added that both projects together represent an investment of over $100 million into the city.
The Johnston City Council recently renewed the contracts for both developments. Bombers is expected to be completed by December 2026, and Ignit is expected to be finished the following fall.