Manassas City Council Discusses Major Redevelopment Plans

Manassas city officials are discussing major redevelopment projects, particularly in Old Town, Mathis Avenue, and Fairview Avenue. According to the city council, these discussions come as multiple developers have expressed interest in city-owned properties, prompting the council to consider issuing Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to attract large-scale investment.

Old Town Inn Redevelopment & Parking Solutions

A key focus of the meeting was the Old Town Inn site, where city officials debated whether to prioritize a new hotel or a mixed-use project. The lack of parking downtown remains a significant challenge, and council members acknowledged that constructing a 300-space parking deck is critical to enabling future development.

According to the city council, these discussions come as multiple developers have expressed interest in city-owned properties, prompting the council to consider issuing Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to attract large-scale investment.

Old Town Inn Redevelopment & Parking Solutions

A key focus of the meeting was the Old Town Inn site, where city officials debated whether to prioritize a new hotel or a mixed-use project. The lack of parking downtown remains a significant challenge, and council members acknowledged that constructing a 300-space parking deck is critical to enabling future development.

“This is more than 300 spaces; I think we’ve fit into the site, but you’re talking about, of course, existing City Hall, which is a little short of 100 spaces right now. And then two to three, I think, three levels of where we’re at right now. So, 300 spaces are critical to unlocking the development potential of the Old Town Inn site. It is very hard to park and get a lot of development,”? said Assistant City Manager and Director of Planning & Community Development.

City staff proposed a phased development plan, starting with parking infrastructure before selling city-owned land to developers for private investment. Arcieri emphasized that structured parking will be a requirement for any redevelopment project to maintain accessibility and attract businesses.

Developer Interest in Mathis Avenue and Fairview Avenue

The Mathis Avenue corridor, long seen as a prime area for revitalization, has garnered interest from multiple developers for projects that could include townhomes, apartments, and mixed-use retail spaces.

“With my developer hat on, Matt’s right on point,” said Councilman Mark Wolfe. “Whatever happens here will actually set the tone, not only for Mathis Avenue but for any redevelopment going towards Old Town. This piece is very critical”.

In 2024, Manassas took a significant step in its redevelopment efforts by purchasing the 14-acre Manassas Shopping Center on Mathis Avenue for $16 million. The shopping center is home to 21 commercial tenants, including notable businesses like Advance Auto Parts and Pitkins Hardware stores. By becoming the landlord of these establishments, the city plans to oversee and guide the area’s transformation to bolster local economic development.

Discussions also touched on Fairview Avenue, where developers have inquired about purchasing land for high-density residential projects. However, some council members raised concerns about affordable housing and resident displacement.

“”We need to make sure we’re taking care of the folks as part of any proposal who are already living on the property. So I think when staff talks about this, addressing displacement, preferably on-site, is going to be something we’re going to push,” said Councilwoman Sonia Vasquez Luna

Mixed-Use vs. Residential: What’s the Right Balance?

One of the primary debates during the meeting was whether to allow residential units in redevelopment projects. While some officials see high-density housing as necessary for economic growth, others worry about overcrowding and increased demand for city services.

Council members were split on the issue, with some advocating for a developer-led vision and others urging planning to preserve green spaces and community character.

Next Steps: Issuing RFPs and Public Engagement

As developers continue to approach the city with proposals, officials are debating whether to issue individual RFPs for each site or consolidate projects under one master plan.

City officials confirmed that formal RFPs will be issued in 2025, strongly emphasizing developer contributions to infrastructure projects.