The city of Johnston recorded $58.4 million in new taxable valuation in 2018, including 72 new single-family homes and $8.2 million in commercial projects, according to a release, while also working on the Northwest Saylorville Drive annexation and the Johnston Town Center project. “While we didn’t break any development records in 2018, the city maintained a steady and sustainable growth pattern while undertaking two significant projects that will shape the future for years to come,” Community Development Director David Wilwerding said in the release. “Completion of the NW Saylorville Drive Annexation will allow the city to grow while at the same time the Johnston Town Center project shows the city’s commitment to reinvesting and redeveloping the core of our community.” For 2019, Wilwerding predicts steady and consistent single-family residential and townhome development; continued planning with Hansen Cos. for the Johnston Town Center, including City Hall construction beginning later in the year or early in 2020; waning interest in multifamily construction with recent projects leasing up and multifamily zoned property becoming scarce; and continued efforts to spur commercial redevelopment within the Merle Hay Road Gateway area.