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Dilapidated buildings in Mason City to be demolished

1450-1454 North Federal Avenue, Mason City

MASON CITY – A pair of dilapidated structures in Mason City are planned for demolition, City Hall says.

The City has acquired 1450-1452 and 1454 North Federal Avenue, the dilapidated commercial buildings at the corner of North Federal and 15th Street NW, the City says in a public document. The City has contracted for asbestos testing, which is complete. The analysts found asbestos-containing material in both buildings. Staff has released an RFQ for asbestos abatement and is awaiting bids. Demolition will follow asbestos abatement.

The City has been trying for years to take down certain buildings on the North End of town.

According to the City, the problem of abandoned buildings has long been a challenge for communities. Cities now have a more effective incentive for owners to rehabilitate or demolish these problem properties. Iowa Code Section 657A.10 allows a city to petition the District Court to grant the title to “abandoned” properties to the city. If working with the owner to rehabilitate or demolish the dilapidated structure fails, the city can ask the Court to grant title to the City, free and clear of back taxes, liens, or other encumbrances. The city can then decide to demolish the structure, or find a buyer who will bring it back up to code. In 2019, the City of Mason City began a program to target long-abandoned buildings where Section 657A.10 could play a role. The owners of several of these buildings were notified that the buildings would have to be rehabilitated or demolished, or the City would petition the District Court to take title to them. In most cases, the owners of these properties have worked with the City on plans to rehabilitate the dilapidated structures and make them habitable again. A few others have agreed to demolish the structures at their own expense.

The City has been working with the owners of the remaining properties that received notices. Of these, six are either under rehabilitation, or have been brought back up to code. We have agreements with the owners of eight other properties, who intend to rehabilitate the structures and make them livable again. The remaining five properties still need to show progress; Staff is working with attorneys to ensure that these properties are remediated.

There are an additional 15 properties being considered for future action. The City says it expects to begin proceedings on them within the next few weeks.

“All in all, this has been a successful program; Iowa Code Section 657A.10 has been an effective tool to both encourage remediation of problem properties, or to remove structures that are blighting their neighborhoods,” Steven Van Steenhuyse, AICP, Development Services Director, said in the City document.

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