Mason City City Council to consider developing vacant property in Northbridge area

MASON CITY — The City Council in Mason City tonight will consider putting out a request for proposals to develop some city-owned property located on the north side of the downtown loop.

The land is part of the Northbridge site that was redeveloped in 2003. In 2022, the city acquired the property at 17 6th Northeast. The prior owner had died and there were no heirs to take ownership, so the court deeded the property to the city, with the city demolishing the dilapidated house on the land.

City officials earlier this month attended the Housing Iowa Conference where they were able to make numerous contacts with housing development companies, with this piece of land attracting the attention of at least one developer. The site is “shovel ready” with all the utilities and street access already provided, helping to make the property attractive for development.

If the process is approved by the council tonight, proposals would be due on October 21st with a public hearing to approve the selected developer being held at the council’s November 19th meeting.

The council meets tonight at 7 o’clock in the Mason City Room of the Public Library.