Johnston vying for state funding program with $123.7 million redevelopment project Wednesday, February 17, 2021 3:19 PM A 212,400-square-foot athletic facility would be the centerpiece of a recreational complex planned in Johnston, west of Merle Hay Road. Architectural rendering provided by city of Johnston The city of Johnston has joined the growing list of communities vying for the ability to use a portion of state sales and hotel-motel taxes to help pay for projects anticipated to attract visitors, improve infrastructure and improve residents’ quality of life. The City Council on Tuesday voted to establish a reinvestment district that would include nearly 75 acres roughly between Beaver Creek and Northwest 55th Avenue along both sides of Merle Hay Road, an area envisioned to include recreational developments, hotels, a mix of housing types, restaurants and other commercial nodes.