Historic Preservation Commission
The Historic Preservation Commission promotes the educational, cultural, economic, and general welfare of the public through the recognition, enhancement, and perpetuation of sites and districts of historical and cultural significance. The Commission also safeguards the City's historic, aesthetic, and cultural heritage by preserving sites and districts of historic and cultural significance. The Commission recognizes that preservation of historic structures and sites will stabilize and improve property values; foster pride in the legacy of beauty and achievements of the past; protect and enhance the City's attractions to tourists and visitors as well as the support and stimulus to business thereby provided; strengthen the economy of the City; and, promote the use of sites and districts of historic and cultural significance as places for the education, pleasure, and welfare of the people of the City.
The Commission is also responsible for reviewing proposed alterations to historic and significant buildings in the Z5 Central Business Zoning District. When appropriate, the Commission will issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior construction, additions to, or alterations of these buildings. Learn more about the Certificate of Appropriateness and the application process here.
The Mason City Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) is comprised of 7 volunteers appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council for four year terms. The Commission has been designated by the National Park Service as a Certified Local Government.
Commission members:
| Kris Urdahl, Chair |
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| Laura Little, Vice Chair |
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| Joyce Deike |
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| Terry Harrison |
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| Derek Arnold |
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Tom Drzycimski
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| Craig Binnebose |
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These meetings are typically held at 4:30 PM on the 1st Thursday of the month. If necessary, special meetings may be scheduled to review demolition permits.
Meetings are held in person in Conference Room A on the 2nd floor of City Hall, 10 First St. NW, Mason City, Iowa. Consult the Commission's agenda to learn what type of meeting is being held and how to access the meeting or provide comments on agenda items.
Recent Projects Include:
Preserve Iowa Summit 2022: Mason City hosted the 2022 Preserve Iowa Summit in June 2022. Over 200 historic property owners, members of Historic Preservation Commissions, students, Main Street staff and board members, preservation professionals and local government officials attended. Panels, keynote addresses and a variety of mobile workshops provided learning and networking opportunities.
Engine House No. 2: As part of the Preserve Iowa Summit, the City received a Certified Local Government Program grant to nominate Engine House No. 2, a PWA Moderne fire station at 2020 S. Federal Avenue, to the National Register of Historic Places. The nomination was reviewed and resoundingly approved at the June 2022 State Nominations Review Committee. It has been listed by the National Park Service on the National Register of Historic Places.
Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery: The City received a Certified Local Government Program grant to nominate the Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery to the National Register of Historic Places. The nomination was approved and effective June 7, 2018. You can read the nomination here.
Moving Houses to Save History: As part of the Memorandum of Agreement, the Commission oversaw the preparation of a move report that describes the City's experience moving historic houses as a mitigation treatment after the flood. The City was successful in saving five historic homes from the East Park Place neighborhood. You can download a copy of the move report here.
Rock Crest-Rock Glen Historic District Amendment: The City received a Historic Resources Development Program Grant to amend the original National Register of Historic Places nomination of the Rock Crest-Rock Glen Historic District. The amendment documents the national significance of the district. If the amendment is accepted by the National Park Service, the City hopes to pursue National Landmark status for the district. You can read the amendment here.
The HPC was the leader in implementing the projects outlined in the Memorandum of Agreement between the City, the HPC, the Iowa SHPO and FEMA regarding historic mitigation treatments resulting from the City's buyout following the flood in 2008. The HPC has also been involved in the mitigation treatments related the the construction of a new terminal at the Mason City Municipal Airport.