Business View Civil & Municipal | July 2022

125 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 3, ISSUE 7 WASHINGTON, I LL INOI S in the works with 58 duplexes and single- family homes waiting to break ground in the area. Between 2005 and 2006, the city built 309 single-family homes to accommodate those looking to move to the area and have their children grow up in Washington’s impressive school systems. Then, in 2007, they constructed their community center – the Five Points Washington – which contributed to an increased desire of people wanting to move to the area to take advantage of such resources. And while COVID did put a damper on the city’s growth, Manier is happy to disclose that they successfully opened five different businesses and constructed 17 houses last year, despite the effects of the pandemic. When asked about workforce development, Manier notes, “There isn’t much going on City of Washington Mayor, Gary Manier, boasts, “The best thing about Washington is our residents. That includes both those that have grown up in the area and those who have made the choice to relocate here and raise a family. I’m also proud of the various amenities and services we provide, including police and fire protection and the Department of Public Works. The city has a top-notch school system, high- quality churches, and plenty of recreational opportunities – most notably about 15 miles of walking and biking trails that go through the city, connecting almost every subdivision to East Peoria from the east to the west.” The population of Washington is ever-expanding, having grown from 10,000 residents to over 16,000 in just 20 years. In terms of housing developments, there is a major development