Mason City moves forward on redevelopment

Mason City moves forward on redevelopment

Measures aim to bring 98-room hotel and more downtown

MASON CITY (AP) — City Council members in Mason City have approved two measures advancing the city’s $36 million plan to redevelop the downtown area. The council voted unanimously Tuesday to accept development agreements with G8 Development for the creation of a 98-room Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, the adjacent parking ramp and a commercial-residential structure in the southeast corner of North Federal Avenue and Second Street Northeast.

Councilman Alex Kuhn, who has worked on the project from its onset, praised the development agreements and said tax valuations will skyrocket once the empty lots are developed.

“I’ve seen confidence in downtown going up. The increased tax base solves a lot of things,” said Council member Brett Schoneman.

During the public hearing, Tim Moreau of the Veenstra & Kimm engineering firm, said he supported the project but thought G8 Development president Philip Chodur was in violation of the development agreement because he had filed a suit in small claims court against Chodur for an unpaid bill. He said he questions Chodur’s ability to build a multi-million-dollar hotel if he can’t pay a $2,650 bill.

City Administrator Brent Trout said the small claim was filed after the development agreement had been signed and said it was something Chodur and Moreau would have to work out aside from the agreement Chodur has with the city.

The developments are part of a plan that also includes construction of an ice arena/ multipurpose center and a music pavilion.

The city has been pre-approved for a $7.1 million grant from the state that is contingent upon, among other things, a $10 million private investment in the overall project. The hotel fulfills that requirement. Final approval of the city’s application is expected in March.

In the plans

n Courtyard by Marriott Hotel

n North Federal Lofts

n Parking ramp

n Multi-purpose arena

n Performing arts pavilion