MASON CITY – Another new apartment building is in the works for downtown Mason City, this time a 4-story, 36-unit structure on Delaware Avenue.
NIT has learned that this new residential building would be built in a location that is currently a public parking lot.
According to Steven J. Van Steenhuyse, Director of Development Services, “the City has received a proposal to construct a 36-unit, 4 story building at the corner of 1st Street NE and North Delaware Avenue, which is currently a public parking lot. As proposed, the building would occupy the eastern third of the lot, leaving 55 public parking spaces. There would be 25 indoor parking spaces for tenants.”
At this time, the bid process is now open and the City is accepting proposals, but this appears to be the desired project.
“Since this is City owned property in an urban renewal area, we are required to have a 30-day bidding process and thereafter hold a public hearing on the potential sale,” Van Steenhuyse continued. “This is planned for April 9.”
Mason City is clearly attempting to finally re-populate the downtown after crushing decisions made by city forefathers to drive folks out of the downtown over previous decades. Sending NIACC and the High School and into distant cornfields, robbing the area of vibrant youth with bottomless plastic in their pockets, was a severe blow to the vitality of downtown Mason City. Downtown businesses have struggled ver since, with many resorting to massive government handouts to stay afloat (several along Federal Avenue are examples. This is called “economic development,” not socialism or welfare, that is only when poorer people get government handouts). The turnaround appears to be in full swing now, with a new multi-purpose arena and a wonderful , useful skywalk, along with a grandstand in the pedestrian mall, near a renovated Frank Lloyd Wright Hotel. The City has added two new, large apartment complexes already with smaller developments under way as well.
