Mason City officials have locked up 5 residences near downtown Mason City, keeping people out, despite the fact that some people seem to still be living there or have many possessions still inside.
The houses are located on the same block: 310, 314 and 320 East State Street; 19 North Georgia; and 309 1st Street NE.
At 320 East State Street, “Jen” (pictured, right) has all her belongings in an upstairs apartment. She was actually staying at her mother’s home but had returned to her apartment Tuesday afternoon to retrieve some belongings, only to find the dwelling locked up solid and a “KEEP OUT” sign on the front door.
Jen, very distraught, said all her possessions, including her son’s, are now locked in the apartment with no way to get to them.
Jen called City Councilman Max Weaver for help Tuesday. “He’s the only one at City Hall I knew to call,” she said. Weaver showed up that evening to talk to Jen and other nearby residents about the issue. “We’ll get this straightened out for you,” Weaver said. 
Jen says she just needs a day or two longer to get moved. She says city staff had given her till August 15th to vacate the apartment as long as no utilities are turned on. The city has deemed the building she lived in unsafe, as well as the other four buildings on the same block.
Checking the five addresses, trash was strewn about and grass grew tall in back yards. Couches, tables, overturned garbage pails and food containers were common. Many of the properties seemed to be in poor condition, with windows wide open. A blue punching bag was hanging from a tree behind Jen’s former home. A friend of Jen’s rolled up in a red van. “I just got out,” he said. “I got four pit bulls, and we are out now.”
The city’s plan for these homes was not immediately clear. Apparently they want residents to clear out due to unsafe conditions, but their next move is yet to be revealed. Meanwhile, the issue is being resolved between a bank and landlords. See previous story on the matter.
Weaver says he will huddle with city staff Wednesday to work out a solution so Jen get cleared out and move on to a new home of her own.
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