The interdenominational church launched locations in Oakley in 1996 and Florence in 2012.
Crossroads established its Mason-based congregation with Sunday services at Mason Middle School four years ago and now has about 1,200 members, Moore said. That number is expected to swell to 2,400 or more by the time the new Mason location opens, he said.
Mason City Council voted unanimously to approve rezoning for a 24.79-acre property at the corner of Reading Road and Tri-Way Drive, the former home of International Paper. The company closed in 2008, but still owns the site, according to the Warren County Auditor’s Office.
The zoning vote changed the property from industrial and road service use categories to business planned unit development, allowing the church to renovate the existing 142,508-square-foot structure, as well as provide 988 parking spaces, storm water management and buffering.
The project is a visible sign that the nearly complete U.S. 42 improvement project can attract investment and business opportunity to that area of Mason, city officials said.
The congregation has “a stellar reputation,” Vice Mayor Victor Kidd said.
“This is a good reminder that there are things much more important to the community than financial return,” Kidd said.
The church is “very proactive” in getting people involved with the community, Moore said.
“Part of what makes our calling a little different is that we tend to attract leaders who have lots of ideas and want to give back to the community,” he said. “We believe faith is action.”
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