The east side of Washington County has a lot going on right now. From Exit 27 in Toquerville to the growing areas around Leeds, the story is bigger than a few new construction sites. We are talking about new roads, water infrastructure, commercial growth, housing, hospitality, and better regional connections.

For anyone following St. George Utah Real Estate, this is exactly the kind of development activity worth paying attention to. Growth is continuing to push eastward, and Toquerville and Leeds are becoming an increasingly important part of that conversation.

The big picture is simple: infrastructure is being put in place now to support what could become a major long-term growth corridor. Here is a closer look at the projects shaping this side of Southern Utah.

Exit 27 Is Becoming More Than an Interstate Exit

Toquerville Exit 27 has already started to change in a big way. It is becoming a service hub for travelers, residents, businesses, and future development moving through this part of the county.

One of the most visible additions is Settlers Junction RV Park. The park has completed its main amenities, including a large clubhouse, pool, pickleball courts, laundry facilities, showers, playground, picnic pavilion, pet area, and a convenience center.

This type of project matters for St. George Utah Real Estate because it supports the region's visitor economy while also bringing more services into an area that has historically been less developed than St. George, Washington, Hurricane, or Ivins.

Right in front of the RV park, the Sapp Bros. Travel Center is also making strong construction progress. This will be a major truck stop and travel center with fuel, convenience services, and a truck service center. The plan at the time of this update was for an opening in the fall.

With I-15 access, the travel center is a meaningful commercial addition. It can support freight movement, long-distance travelers, commercial traffic, and the growing number of businesses operating in eastern Washington County.

New Employment Growth Near Anderson Junction Road

Heading north from the exit along Anderson Junction Road, IME Automation is building a new 20,000-square-foot facility. IME is a robotics automation company that creates systems for large manufacturing companies, and it currently employs 22 people, including 17 engineers.

The company had been operating from Hurricane and was working toward opening this new location by the end of the year. It is a cool example of the kind of economic growth that does not always get as much attention as residential development.

For St. George Utah Real Estate, job-producing commercial projects are a big deal. Housing, retail, roads, and recreation all matter, but long-term growth is stronger when businesses are creating professional opportunities in the area as well.

There is also substantial dirt work underway on the west side of I-15 near the exit. Specific plans had not yet been announced, but the direction is expected to include a mix of commercial and residential development. That is definitely an area to keep an eye on as details become public.

Chief Toquer Reservoir and the Importance of Water Storage

One of the biggest infrastructure updates in this area is Chief Toquer Reservoir, a new water-storage project under construction in Washington County. The reservoir is planned to hold approximately 3,700 acre-feet of water.

Water is being piped from Ash Creek near New Harmony, along with other tributaries in the region. The key purpose is storage. Rather than allowing available water to continue down the Virgin River, this facility will help retain water for the county's future needs.

The project was expected to complete construction by August 2026, with filling continuing until approximately spring 2027. Once complete, the reservoir is also expected to allow nonmotorized recreation similar to Fire Lake and Ivins Reservoir, including paddleboards and kayaks.

Still, the biggest story here is not recreation. It is water planning. As Southern Utah continues to grow, water storage is one of the most important pieces of the foundation. Anyone evaluating St. George Utah Real Estate should understand that roads and rooftops are only part of the equation. Water infrastructure is just as critical to responsible long-term growth.

Toquerville Parkway Will Change the Route Into La Verkin

The Toquerville Parkway project is one of the most important transportation changes underway in this area. This 4.5-mile route is nearing completion and is designed to relieve pressure on downtown Toquerville, where the current SR-17 route passes directly through town.

Once the new roadway is open, it will become SR-17. The existing route through downtown Toquerville is expected to be returned to the city. That is a major shift for both local traffic patterns and the character of the downtown area.

Construction crews were finishing excavation work in the major road cut leading toward La Verkin, with the roadway anticipated to open around July or August. A project of this size does more than shorten or redirect a drive. It creates a new development corridor.

Better connectivity has a direct effect on St. George Utah Real Estate. Roads influence where residential neighborhoods emerge, where businesses decide to locate, how tourism moves through the county, and how quickly land transitions from open space to planned development.

Firelight Will Be a New Gateway Toward Zion

Along both sides of Toquerville Parkway, a master-planned community known as Firelight is expected to take shape over multiple decades. This is one of the larger long-term opportunities on the east side of the county.

Firelight is planned to bring new housing along with restaurants, retail, hospitality, grocery options, and other services. The project sits near the intersection of Toquerville Parkway and Silver Reef Parkway, a location that is positioned to become a gateway toward Zion from the northern side of Washington County.

The first residential subdivision has already begun, but this is not a quick project. It is a multi-decade development that will likely build in phases as roads, utilities, residential neighborhoods, and commercial demand expand.

That phased approach is important. Large master-planned communities do not become fully established overnight. Early growth may look like roads, utilities, grading, and initial subdivisions. Over time, more services can follow the rooftops.

For buyers and investors looking at St. George Utah Rea; Estate, Firelight represents an area where timing, infrastructure, zoning, and access will matter. It is also why local guidance is valuable. The right opportunity depends heavily on whether someone is looking for a home, land, a business site, or a long-term commercial position.

Silver Reef Parkway and the Growing Connection to Leeds

Silver Reef Parkway is another key piece of the regional road picture. The roadway is expected to eventually connect into Leeds, improving access across the northeast side of the town and tying this expanding corridor together.

Residential projects are already in the works in this area, with lot sizes expected to range from roughly one-quarter acre up to three acres. That creates a more spaced-out residential feel than many higher-density neighborhoods closer to the core of St. George.

This part of the county may appeal to people who want more room, open views, and a different pace while still remaining connected to the broader Southern Utah area. It is another example of how St. George Utah Real Estate includes a wide range of communities and lifestyle options, not just one city or one type of property.

Iconic Resort Zion Is Proposed Near Leeds

A proposed hospitality project called Iconic Resort Zion is also in the works near Leeds. The early concept includes 100 individual units in a more spread-out resort setting.

At the time of this update, the project was still early in the process, with groundbreaking anticipated within six to eight months. There were not many additional details available yet, so this is one to follow as plans progress.

What stands out is the continued demand for hospitality near Zion and throughout Southern Utah. Tourism has a real impact on local commercial activity, restaurants, lodging, transportation, and service businesses. That demand is one reason commercial St. George Utah Real Estate can be especially interesting in emerging corridors like Toquerville and Leeds.

Farmstead's Distribution Hub Brings More Jobs to Leeds

The Farmstead distribution warehouse has become the company's central hub after opening the previous summer. This is where Farmstead produces its goods and distributes them to locations across Southern Utah.

The facility employs approximately 50 to 60 people, providing a significant boost to the local economy. It is another reminder that growth in Leeds is not only about new homes or tourism. Local businesses, manufacturing, food production, and distribution all create momentum for the community.

For anyone looking at St. George Utah Real Estate, job centers matter. A growing employment base can support nearby housing demand, strengthen commercial activity, and help create a more balanced community over time.

What These Changes Mean for Buyers, Sellers, and Commercial Property Owners

Toquerville and Leeds are changing because the building blocks are being put in place:

• Transportation: Toquerville Parkway and future connections through Silver Reef Parkway improve access and redirect regional traffic.

• Water infrastructure: Chief Toquer Reservoir adds important storage capacity for Washington County.

• Commercial services: The Sapp Bros. Travel Center, IME Automation facility, and Farmstead hub add jobs and business activity.

• Residential development: New subdivisions are creating housing opportunities ranging from traditional neighborhood lots to larger acreage homesites.

• Hospitality: Firelight and the proposed Iconic Resort Zion reflect continued interest in serving Zion-area travelers.

All of that makes this a very different market than it was just a few years ago. The best move is to look beyond a single listing and understand the roads, development plans, nearby commercial activity, and long-term direction of the area.

Whether you are buying, selling, relocating, or exploring commercial St. George Utah Real Estate, the east side of Washington County deserves a close look. There is a lot of opportunity here, but every location has its own story, timeline, and market considerations.

Need Help Navigating Southern Utah Real Estate?

The Toquerville and Leeds corridor is one of the most interesting places to follow in Southern Utah right now. With major road projects nearing completion, new residential communities beginning to take shape, water infrastructure advancing, and more commercial activity coming online, there is a lot to be excited about.

If you are considering buying or selling a home, land, or commercial property, Mike Sheffield with Sunny STG Real Estate is the real estate agent to use in Southern Utah. Mike can help you make sense of the local market, evaluate opportunities in emerging areas, and create a smart plan around your goals.

For personalized help with Real Estate in St. George Utah, commercial real estate, or a move anywhere in Southern Utah, contact Mike Sheffield at [email protected] or call or text (435) 222-3080.