Washington Chamber of Commerce

Community Profile
GOVERNMENT
Washington is governed by the Mayor-Council type of government, with a paid administrator.

SCHOOLS Washington public schools carry a State Department of Education MSIP rating and are approved by the University of Missouri and the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. Parochial schools include St. Francis Borgia Regional High School, which is approved by the State of Missouri, and is accredited as a college preparatory high school by North Central Accrediting Association; St. Francis Borgia Elementary School, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Grade School and the Immanuel Lutheran Grade School are accredited through the MO Chapter of the National Federation of Nonpublic Schools State Accrediting Association. Immanuel Lutheran Grade School is also accredited through the National Lutheran School Accreditation.

LIBRARIES The Washington Public Library contains over 40,000 volumes and subscribes to some 125 periodicals. It is staffed by four full-time and five part-time librarians and is open daily. The Franklin County Scenic Regional Library, comprised of Franklin, Gasconade and Warren County Library Districts, is headquartered in Union. The Union Library has 87,327 volumes, 12,640 other items. Four full-time librarians staff the library, along with six branch supervisors. Fifteen full-time clerks cover two libraries in Franklin County, two in Gasconade County, and one in Warren County.

CHURCHES Please click on CHURCHES link in the left bar to view a list of area churches and times of worship.

HEALTH & MEDICAL SERVICES St. John's Mercy Hospital, a level 3-trauma center located in Washington, is a 187-bed acute care facility, which is a member of the Sisters of Mercy health system. The hospital has been the recipient of the National Top 100 Hospitals Award five times. The Mercy Doctors' Building, located adjacent to the hospital, has over 35 physicians covering a multitide of specialties. This building also houses a pharmacy, an optical shop, dental clinic, rehabilitation and wellness centers. Patients First Health Care, a 41-doctor multi-specialty physician group practicing in 12 specialties, is located in the heart of Washington across from Washington High School. The Patients First medical campus includes physician offices, an urgent care facility,pharmacy, caf�, accredited nuclear heart lab, diagnostic sleep center, full-service laboratory, and diagnostic digital imaging. Cedarcrest Manor, a 184-bed nursing home is located in the center of Washington and Grandview, a 102-bed nursing home facility overlooking the City Park, is located on the west end of Washington. Washington Residential Care Center, on East 5th Street, is a 20-bed assisted living facility which has recently added a 14 unit Alzheimer/ Dementia facility called The Arbors. Bristol Manor, a 12-room residential care facility, is located on West 12th Street and The Homestead at Hickory View, a 60 room senior living facility, is located off Marbach Drive.

FIRE DEPARTMENT The Washington Volunteer Fire Department serves Washington. Approximately 60% of all major industries in Washington are equipped with sprinkler systems. Fire protection is also provided for plants and residents outside of the city limits. Within the city limits, the fire classification is Class 3; outside of the city limits, the classification can be between a Class 3 and a Class 7.

POLICE DEPARTMENT Twenty-eight people serve on the Washington Police Department along with three reserve officers. Police protection is afforded industries and residents within the city limits only, with county protection offered outside the city limits through the Count Sheriff's Office. The local Police Department operates police cars with two-way radio systems, and the city has a 24-hour dispatching service. Washington has recently updated its communication systems, including the 911 system.

SANITATION Garbage and trash are hauled once a week for disposal by the city, recycling materials are picked up once a week, and yard waste is picked up once a month. Commercial disposal services are also available by private contractors for use by industries. The City has rodent, fly and mosquito control equipment. Approximately 99.5% of the population is served by sanitary sewers. The sewage system is separate from the storm sewers. The City sewage is processed through a secondary treatment facility.

NEWSPAPERS Washington's newspaper, The MISSOURIAN, is published twice a week, Tuesday and Friday, and has a circulation of 27,000. The St. Louis daily newspaper, the ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH, is widely distributed throughout the entire area.

RADIO AND TELEVISION Washington is served by six local radio stations, KLPW - AM/FM, KSLQ - FM, KWMO - AM, KWRE, KGNB, V-100 and two local TV stations, Channel 7, transmitted from East Central College, and Channel 10, the Washington City Government channel. The six St. Louis television channels are received easily in Washington, as are the numerous radio stations from the St. Louis area. Cable TV is also available in Washington.

ORGANIZATIONS Washington boasts of over 30 organizations and clubs. Included are: American Legion Post 218 and Auxiliary, B.P.O. Elks No. 1559 and Auxiliary, A.F. & A.M. Hope Lodge No. 251, Downtown Washington, Inc., Eastern Star, Four Rivers Shrine Club, Kiwanis, Knights of Columbus Council No. 1121 and Auxiliary, Lions Club, I.O.O.F. (Odd Fellows), Optimist Club, P.E.O. Sisterhood, Rotary Club, Royal Neighbors Congenial Camp No. 8138, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2661 and Auxiliary, Washington Chamber of Commerce, Washington Garden Club, Washington Iris Club, Washington Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) and the Western Catholic Union.

HOUSING FACILITIES The average purchase price on a two-bedroom home is $140,000; three-bedroom homes range from $225,000 up. New subdivisions are constantly being developed within a three to five mile radius.

SENIOR HOUSING There are several Senior Citizen Housing facilities are located in Washington. The Homestead at Hickory View, a 60-room senior living facility, is located off Marbach Drive. Hillcrest, located on Second Street, has 54 apartments, and Heritage Village, off Fremont Street, has approximately 50 units. A new senior housing complex is being developed on East Fifth Street in the building that formerly housed the DEB Shoe Factory

RECREATION Washington has ten parks with a total acreage of 201. A $6,000,000 Olympic size, stainless steel swimming pool facility and a new swimplex is a fine addition to our parks system. Two lighted, asphalted tennis courts are located in the City Park and four lighted asphalted courts are located in the Optimist Park on the east end of town. A ten-acre lake with five covered picnic areas and playground equipment for the younger set is also located in the City Park. The parks system also includes 7 lighted/2 unlighted softball/baseball fields, 3 lighted/3 unlighted soccer fields, 3 outdoor basketball courts, 1 sand volleyball court, and several miles a hiking trails. A supervised playground program is held at the City Park along with an organized Babe Ruth League, Little League Soccer, Little League Football, etc. Boating on the Missouri River attracts hundreds of people during the season. A beautiful riverfront park is located at the public access to the Missouri River at the foot of Lafayette Street. Adjacent to the Riverfront Park is the new Rotary Riverfront Hiking/Bike Trail that offers a great view of the Missouri River as it winds three miles to South Point on the eastern edge of Washington. The Franklin County Country Club, located four miles outside of the city, has a beautiful eighteen-hole golf course. It features grass greens with a par 71 for the course. The club is private/membership only club. In addition to the private facilities, Elmwood, a nine-hole public course with grass greens is just three miles south of the city. East of Washington is Wolf Hollow Club, an eighteen-hole golf course and driving range. Big Driver, a driving range and miniature golf course, is located directly west of the City Park. Other clubs offering recreational facilities in Washington include the Washington Archery Club, and the Washington Boat Club. One of the finest bowling alleys in the area, Town N'Country Lanes is located on the east end of town. It has 20 lanes (with automated score-keeping), a lounge, and eating facilities. For those interested in recreation outside of the immediate area, Washington is located 45 miles from the many activities of St. Louis and 90 miles from the Lake of the Ozarks region.

CITY PLANNING Washington Planning and Zoning Commission incorporates long range planning with the location of industrial plants, both large and small, and accurately defines the area for single and multiple-family dwellings. The building code was revised to adhere more closely with good building practices. This plan is strictly enforced by the City Planning and Zoning Commission.

ELECTRIC POWER Electrical service in Washington and the surrounding area is furnished by AmerenUE. This system, in addition to its large modern steam generated plants, includes two hydroelectric plants, a pump storage facility, and a nuclear facility. The AmerenUE system is operated with its neighboring utilities as part of a fully integrated power pool, thus assuring an unlimited quantity available for all needs.

WATER Nine deep wells supply water for the Washington Water Works. There is also an unlimited supply of raw water from the Missouri River. The supply of natural filtered water is also unlimited because of its deep well source. The Water Works is capable of producing 4,420 gallons of water per minute. The average daily consumption is 1.980 million gallons.

GAS Gas service is supplied in Washington through natural gas lines and by tank-stored liquefied petroleum gas.

TECHNICAL TRAINING Four Rivers Career Center is located in Washington. Additional technical training is available through East Central, the area's Community College.

HIGHWAYS Washington is located ten miles west of Interstate 44; 25 miles south of Interstate 70; and six miles north of State Highway 50. State Highways 47 and 100 intersect in Washington.

Industrial Profile