Mason City's downtown has seen some significant improvements within the past 10+ years. In 2011, the Historic Park Inn Hotel opened after an $20 million restoration. The building was remodeled and restored to its original 1910 floor plan and includes a bar, restaurant, 27 hotel rooms, and a banquet room. In 2012, shortly after the hotel's renovation, the downtown district began its Federal Avenue Streetscape Project, highlighting the city's prairie school architecture and adding vibrancy to the district. In 2013, the facades of 11 buildings were renovated with the assistance of a $500,000 grant from the State of Iowa. The neighborhood has also seen the addition of many new commercial and retail businesses, helping the district to become the primary focus of government, business, and culture in the city.
