FEMA official praises Egloff House move (video interview)

Barbara Sturner of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) discussed the Egloff House move with councilman Bill Schickel Monday afternoon once both pieces of the house were moved near their final lots at the 300 block of East State Street.

Ms. Sturner, who has been in town for several days as the Egloff House was prepped and moved from 7th Street NE to State Street, congratulated Mason City on seeing the move of the structure through all the way to the end after years of red tape and maneuvering in forest of federal regulations since the flood of 2008. Councilman Schickel did arrive on the scene in time to have an impromptu discussion with Ms. Sturner and thanked her for working on the project. He reflected on the long road the flood homes projects have had over the years and the improvements on State Street.

Ms. Sturner said that the move of the “historic” home shows there are “other solutions than the wrecking ball” and that other communities will be watching how this project unfolds as a type of model for potentially similar projects. She said her favorite part of the Egloff House is a circular staircase and some of the tile inside the house.

Watch the full discussion and brief interview, below.