Mason City to add large distribution center in south side industrial area

MASON CITY – Infrastructure will soon be added to a south side industrial area in Mason City to make way for what the City is calling a “large distribution center.”

According to City documents, Seefried Properties of Chicago, Illinois is in the process of purchasing just over 12 acres at the southwest corner of South Washington Avenue and 43rd Street SW in Mason City, in the South Industrial Park. This land is currently vacant and was part of the Sutcliffe Farms. Seefried has presented a plan to the Development Review Committee to develop a large-scale distribution center (titled “Project Prairie” by the developer; see map below).

In order to implement this plan, the developers have submitted a lot split application for administrative review, which will create the parcel and provide an approximately 66′ by 250′ extension of the South Washington Avenue right-of-way. Currently, the improved portion of South Washington Avenue ends at the south edge of the parcel that contains the Highway Patrol office.

This extension is necessary to allow for a driveway access to the new site south of the proposed distribution center building, which will be primarily used by semi-trucks bringing goods to the center for distribution. To reach this access, the developer will need to extend South Washington Avenue approximately 80 feet to the south.

The development agreement obliges the developer to build an approximately 80-foot-long extension of the South Washington Avenue pavement, as well as extend the existing water and sanitary sewer mains the same distance. These extensions are required to be constructed in accordance with City standards.

Upon completion and approval of the improvements, the City will accept the additional right-of-way from the developer and dedicate it as a public street. The City also agrees to waive any City permit, inspection, or engineering fees for the improvements.

The dedicated right of way will extend South Washington Avenue to the south edge of the distribution center site. This will allow continued access and potential development of the remaining land between 43′ Street SW and US 18/Avenue of the Saints.

(Top photo of general area of the south side industrial area of Mason City. Below is a map showing the new devlopment, just west of the Iowa State Patrol office.)