Mason City council accepts new street as part of Amazon development project

MASON CITY — The City Council in Mason City last night approved a pair of items that are part of the Amazon development on the city’s south side.

Amazon announced in April that they were going to construct a new 50,000 square foot last mile distribution facility near US Highway 18 in the southern industrial park. The facility will enhance Amazon’s ability to provide fast, convenient delivery to customers in the north-central Iowa region.

Mayor Bill Schickel says the council’s actions last night cleared the way for the city to accept a street that Amazon built as part of the development, something he says is rare when it comes to economic development.  “Actually Amazon built that street. This is down by where the State Patrol is just off of Highway 65 at the Avenue of the Saints there, and they built that street then deeded it back to the city last night. That was the official action that the City Council took last night.”

Schickel says the Amazon project isn’t typical compared to other economic development projects with building the street and giving it back to the city as well as the company asked for little from the city.  “It is somewhat unusual. No incentives were asked for or granted for this project, so it’s really a net positive for Mason City from the standpoint of additional tax revenue, additional jobs. A national company with a national reputation doing business in Mason City.”

The council in two separate actions accepted a quit claim deed for property located in the Sutcliffe First Subdivision for street right-of-way to extend South Washington Avenue south of 43rd Street Southwest, with the other action dedicating property for the street right-of-way.

Schickel made his comments on the “Ask the Mayor” podcast which you can view below