The ABC 6 News team presents the local, regional and national news of the day, in-depth events and breaking stories, as well as the latest sports and weather reports including the extended weather forecast.
(ABC 6 News) – The River City just keeps growing. This time in the hospitality sector, as the city just approved a proposal that not only provides another option for visitors, but even more opportunities for local businesses.
“We can definitely use the extra business from the people who are here for whatever reason and are just staying at the hotel. We appreciate any business we can get,” said Alyssa Thomas, a bartender at Lorado’s Bar and Grill in downtown Mason City.
Lorado’s Bar and Grill is one of the few restaurants on the square and in the surrounding area.
“In the summer, we have the Friday Night Live summer concert series here at the Pavilion, so we get a lot of business. Mainstreet Mason City does a lot of bar crawls and things like that, and we like to participate in those events,” Thomas said.
Alyssa said she is looking forward to the additional hustle and bustle that is sure to come and revitalize downtown.
“I think it’s going to be great for us. We’re a small, local business and the more people that come here to eat and enjoy our drinks, the better. We’re excited to serve everyone and see new faces,” Thomas said.
The city also hopes that the hotel, and especially its prime location, will help stimulate the economy.
“This will be a unique hotel in one of the most beautiful locations, the parks of Mason City, right next to the new Riverwalk. This will complete the River City Renaissance dream,” said Mason City Mayor Bill Schickel.
In addition, the hotel is expected to feature more modern amenities.
“It will be a full-service hotel with a pool and an attached conference center. The skywalk will connect it to Music Man Square and will make it a unique and beautiful meeting venue,” Schickel said.
Construction of the hotel is scheduled to begin next April. The total cost of the project is 15 million.
