Community experts weigh in on growth as boundary committee studies projections

With 1000 residential lots on the books and commercial building permits coming in at rates never seen before, City of Walla Walla Development Director Kim Lyonnais believes Walla Walla will continue to grow.

"Projecting where that growth will produce students is where it gets tough," Lyonnais said to school board members last night during a special work session linked to the district's boundary adjustment study.

Lynonnais said approximately $200 million in construction projects are in the works for our area and strategic steps are being taken to introduce more affordable housing to Walla Walla.

Lynonnais said areas south of Prospect Point continue to witness development which could support families. He said the Myra Road extension west of Blue Ridge is being developed with residential planning in mind and land north of Highway 12 in the current Green Park boundary could produce future residential neighborhoods.

Boundary Review Co-Chairs Dana Jones and Chris Gardea are leading this study as the district prepares for a new, larger capacity Edison Elementary.