Mason City council approves sale of city-owned downtown vacant lot for housing project

MASON CITY — The City Council in Mason City last night approved the sale of a city-owned vacant lot downtown earmarked for a new housing development.

DevPartners/Shyft Collective from Des Moines, who have incorporated the proposed project under the name of Federal Avenue Rowhomes LLC, approached the city last year about purchasing the vacant lot on the southeast corner of 2nd and North Federal to develop into 11 units with five off-street parking spaces.

Federal Avenue Rowhomes LLC proposed purchasing the property for $25,000, but under Iowa Code, the city had to offer up the property for public bid. The deadline to make other bids on the property was February 24th, with the city not receiving any competing bids.

The council unanimously approved the sale on a 6-0 vote.