Schickel talks about Mason City’s positives from 2024, looks ahead to 2025

MASON CITY — Mason City’s mayor says 2024 had a lot of positives for the community.

Bill Schickel says the sense of community that he feels in Mason City currently is important.  He says the projects that have been taking place in the last few years add to the community.  “The amenities are great, and we talk about all these amenities, but the key is that these amenities help change lives. They help people, they help you and me and everybody in here have a better life, and that’s what a great community is all about.”

Schickel says while things like the Southbridge Mall renovation and the construction of a hotel as part of the River City Renaissance project haven’t been completed yet, he thinks there will be positive news in 2025.  “You know, I’m a Type-A personality sometimes, and so, progress never happens as quickly as I would like to see it, and I think people probably understand that frustration. We haven’t completed some of the things yet, but I think we’re on the right track, and I think close a lot of the things and complete a lot of the things in 2025.”

Schickel made his comments during the “Ask the Mayor” podcast published earlier today on northiowanow.com.