MASON CITY – Bypassing the legal right to seize a house in town well past the point of saving, city hall in Mason City instead bought this 90-year-old house from the owner so that it can be demolished.
According to city documents, the city of Mason City acquired the property at 929 North Pierce Avenue in May. This is a single-family, owner occupied, one story frame residential house that was built in 1935. It is listed as having 5 bedrooms and a full basement, with an enclosed porch, but only one bathroom and no garage nor central air system.
The owner of this long vacant house, Chad Jones, off-and-on since 2012, was notified that the City would initiate Iowa Code 657A proceedings, since the property was is such a state of disrepair that it was very unlikely it could be renovated. Under Iowa Code Section 657A.10, the District Court may award the City title to a property, free and clear of liens, taxes, and other encumbrances, if the Court agrees that the property is “abandoned” according to the definition in the statute.
However, rather that initiate 657A proceedings, which typically costs the City between $4,000 to $10,000 in legal fees, according to the documents, the City purchased the property outright for $4,500.
Demolition should occur within the next few months depending on when a city crew is available.
2 thoughts on “Mason City buys dilapidated house instead of seizure, plans for demolition”
Seems like the people in this as well as all the other counties in this state end up having to pay a lot of money for someone to sit in an office and click a few buttons. And the. A judge to sit their and click a couple buttons that charges citizens in their and my county nearly the same amount as the actual total of money that is owed for the charge or situation. . Technology is here people . If I get pulled over for a seat belt ticket it shouldnt cost me nearly double to pay what the charge was for
Iowa needs to consolidate counties, that would be a huge start