On Monday night, the Johnston City Council approved plans to give developer The Christensen Trust up to $3.1 million through tax increment financing if it builds a strip mall and hotel on Merle Hay Road south of Pagliai's Pizza. The site sits across from the planned 250,000-square-foot Ignit youth sports complex and the Bombers entertainment complex at 5055 Merle Hay Road in Johnston. The 11,881-square-foot strip mall would have six tenant bays and cost at least $2.5 million to build, according to the Johnston City Council agenda. A hotel would offer at least 100 rooms, a pool, meeting room and "amenities consistent with at least mid-level hotels in the market," according to the council agenda. Tap the link in our bio for more on this story. #Johnston #Iowa #DSMUSA