New businesses, parks and recreation highlight State of Washington City address

WASHINGTON CITY — Civic leaders and citizens mingled for the annual State of Washington City address to hear about exciting news emerging from a broken curse.

Plans for a new distribution center are unveiled at Washington’s State of the City address on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, Washington, Utah | Photo by Haven Scott, St. George News

Mayor Kress Staheli told those in attendance of pioneer Brigham Young’s visit to the city and a sermon given in the newly completed rock church building. When he left, he noticed his buggy had been placed on top of a nearby barn by pranksters.

Young allegedly cursed “this city won’t amount to anything — for 100 years,” Staheli remarked. The town’s growth indeed remained stagnant, with population rates between 300 and 1,000 for decades. Currently, about 32,000 residents call Washington City home.

With the city’s official announcement of the Ara Southwest Logistics Center, thousands of jobs in the coming decade will bring even more residents to town.

Developer Freeport West is building a distribution hub near the city’s border and St. George Regional Airport. Beginning with two buildings, infrastructure will be built for future buildings. Staheli said when fully operational the distribution hub will employ as many as 2,000.

The city famous for its pioneering cotton industry in the desert was recently named by online financial platform Wallethub as “the best small city to start a business in,” Staheli noted. The city issued 565 business licenses in 2022, and 796 residential building permits.

One of the planned developments highlighted in the meeting will be a resort-style community with 2,200 units, shops, restaurants and upscale short-term rentals. Staheli said the Solente development will border the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve.

Plans for a new Washington Wheels skate park are seen at Washington’s State of the City address on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, Washington Utah | Photo courtesy of Steven Whittekiend, St. George News

Washington City eighth grader CJ Neilson was among the BMX bikers and skateboarders present to hear the latest updates on the Washington Wheels Park. Neilson brought his idea for the skateboard, BMX bike and scooter-friendly park to a teacher as a fifth grader and groundwork recently began on the park.

“He convinced two property owners to donate the land for the park,” Staheli told the crowd. The city also is using property they own on the corner of Telegraph Street and Main Street for a public park with utilities for a food truck court.

A multi-dealership auto mall also is being built at Exit 13 off Interstate 15 in Washington. The mayor also spoke of inheriting the Exit 11 project from previous city leaders and how the current administration worked to make the project visually appealing.

The audience viewed plans for the Interstate 15 interchange at exit 11 at Washington’s State of the City address on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, Washington, Utah | Photo courtesy of Steven Whittekiend, St. George News

The city owns 11 acres on Buena Vista Boulevard for sale in hopes of a restaurant, grocery store or similar retail development, Staheli said. 

“We rely on revenue to operate,” Staheli explained of new growth. “So when I see a new auto mall, like the Sienna Hills Auto Mall, I think — that’s another police officer. That’s another firefighter. That’s better-maintained parks and roads.”

Staheli also spoke of The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints’ new Washington Temple and a partnership with the city of St. George for a road to connect the two cities and grant more access to patrons visiting the site.

St. George Mayor Michele Randal suggested the name George Washington Boulevard for the new road to pay homage to both cities and the nation’s first president.

City staff from St. George and Washington are shown at the opening of George Washington Boulevard in Washington, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of Steven Whittekiend, St. George News

And residents of Washington City may have noticed a different look at several city parks. Staheli said grass has been removed and desert landscaping installed throughout the city to conserve water.

“How can we expect our residents to conserve if we are not doing it ourselves?” he asked the audience.

Two residents were honored for their dedication to Washington City at the event. The city awarded Jean Arbuckle with the annual American Trailblazer Award. Her eight years on the City Council and work on the Planning Commission “balanced the small town feel of Washington with the need to grow and prepare for the future,” Staheli remarked.

Plans for a new distribution center are unveiled at Washington’s State of the City address on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, Washington, Utah | Photo by Haven Scott, St. George News

Dennis Bailey was presented with the city’s Public Service Award. A 20-year veteran with the St. George Police Department, Bailey helped Washington City start its own police department in 2009.

“He was a real mentor to a brand new, newly formed department,” Staheli said of his service to the city.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

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