The Occoquan Town Council will meet on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, to discuss a significant milestone in the development of the Occoquan Riverwalk. The public meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the town hall, 314 Mill Street.
This discussion will focus on recent updates from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) regarding the project's eligibility for the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and a proposal from Legacy Engineering to proceed with preliminary engineering and design work for the riverwalk's planned extensions.
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From Lynn Forkell Greene, Manassas City Council candidate:
Three years ago, I joined a grassroots movement to save the Greater Manassas Baseball League (GMBL), an organization that serves as the heart and soul of our local sports community. Today, GMBL stands on the precipice of an uncertain future. The crucial question now is: Will Micron move forward with its option to purchase the E.G. Smith Baseball Complex, or will they stand down? Why have the current Council and Interim City Manager been so silent toward the GMBL Board?
For me, preserving GMBL isn’t just about baseball—it’s about standing up for transparency, integrity, and authentic representation in Manassas.
When GMBL was threatened by a public sale, I mobilized parents, players, and local supporters, making it clear that youth sports are integral to our community’s identity and the development of our children. Thanks to these efforts, GMBL’s advocates managed to secure renewed Council commitment to preserving our fields and youth sports. But now, more than ever, we must continue the fight.
This moment represents more than the future of GMBL; it’s a choice for Manassas residents. Will we elect leaders who genuinely reflect our values, or allow those in power to prioritize hidden agendas? The Micron deal with the city expires this week, and yet City Hall has maintained years of silence despite public assurances of a new home for GMBL. Micron now waits on a city response, and the stakes have never been higher.
Micron’s decision looms: will they prioritize corporate interests over their promises, or honor their commitments until we have leaders who represent us effectively? GMBL’s fate—and by extension, our community’s future—rests on who we elect in this coming election. If Micron proceeds with the purchase, GMBL will need a new home, and current city leaders will have failed to keep their word.
The ongoing issues surrounding GMBL and Micron’s role highlight the power of democracy rooted in accountability. My advocacy has shown that as constituents, we must demand transparency and genuine representation. Election day is our opportunity to ensure our voices are heard.
This movement is bigger than one baseball league; it’s about preserving democracy and reinforcing community values. By casting your vote, you uphold these principles and demand leadership that works for all of us.
Manassas City voters can cast their ballots early through Saturday at the Registrar’s office at 9025 Center Street or at their regular polling places on election day, Tuesday, November 5.
Let’s make the right choice for our city’s future.
Forkell Greene, a Republican, is seeking her first full term on the council after she won a special election in November 2021 to complete the term of then-council member Michelle Davis Younger, who was elected city mayor in 2020. Forkell Greene’s term expired in December 2022.
Following concerns over underage drinking and unregulated alcohol consumption, the Manassas City Council has implemented a new policy to limit the number of events held downtown. The decision, discussed at the October 21 council meeting, aims to reduce the strain on city resources and improve public safety, particularly for the popular First Friday gatherings in Downtown Manassas.
The policy will reserve one weekend each month as a “respite weekend,” when no significant events will be held in downtown, allowing city infrastructure and staff a much-needed break. Furthermore, city officials are considering reducing the frequency of First Fridays and other recurring events to manage safety risks and improve the experience for residents and local businesses.
Concerns surrounding First Fridays, a popular monthly event featuring a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) where patrons can carry alcohol in marked zones, have escalated in recent months. Text messages exchanged on September 6, 2024, between Interim City Manager Doug Keen and Police Captain Tara Petty revealed growing worries about underage drinking and attendees bringing alcohol purchased outside the event’s permitted areas, including from nearby liquor and convenience stores. The DORA guidelines specify that alcohol should only be purchased from local restaurants participating in the event.
Still, city officials report that many patrons bypass these regulations, undermining public safety and harming local businesses.
“We’re thrilled that Old Town is such a popular destination,” Keen said, “but the high volume of events, particularly First Fridays, has created ongoing safety challenges that we need to address for the well-being of residents, businesses, and visitors.”
As part of the new policy, the city will also evaluate event permits to restrict how often individual organizations can host events in downtown. Some community members have voiced concerns that the abundance of large gatherings, while beneficial for tourism, has led to congestion, parking shortages, and noise, impacting the area’s day-to-day quality of life.
Local businesses have had mixed responses to the policy. Many welcome the changes, citing disruptions during First Fridays and other events that draw large crowds. Business owners note that while events are valuable for drawing new patrons, the influx of people—often with alcohol brought in from outside—can deter regular customers.
“Manassas has become a hub of activity, which is wonderful,” said Councilmember Ralph Smith. “But our priority has to be ensuring these events don’t overburden the community or compromise public safety. This policy lets us strike a balance between tourism and community needs.”
In response, event organizers and local businesses are working with city officials to adjust to the new policy and promote safer, more sustainable event practices. Some First Friday organizers are exploring measures like increased signage about DORA guidelines and added police presence to address potential safety risks.
The city plans to review the new policy after one year, gathering feedback from residents, businesses, and event organizers to ensure it meets the community’s needs.
Dumfries Mayor Derrick Wood announced the soft opening of The Rose, a highly anticipated resort and gaming venue, on Facebook today, ahead of any official statement from the operator, Churchill Downs.
"The soft opening of The Rose is in full effect!" Mayor Wood shared in his post. "On Monday, I had the pleasure of joining the Town Council, staff, family, and friends for a private tour of this exciting new addition to Dumfries. I even had the honor of taking the first spin on the machines!"
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The Manassas Park Governing Body is scheduled to make a pivotal decision on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, regarding a proposed amendment that could alter the development sequence of the City Center at Manassas Park, known as Park Central. The amendment under consideration would allow the construction of 110 residential apartments before a promised office building, a shift from the original development agreement.
Initially, the development agreement required the construction of an office building before any residential units. However, due to changes in market conditions, particularly the downturn in demand for office space prompted by the increase in remote work, city officials are considering a change in strategy.
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Stafford County faces mixed reactions from the community regarding the proposed Buc-ee's development, a massive travel center known for its signature barbeque and Beaver Nuggets.
Buc-ee's has applied for a conditional use permit to build a 74,000-square-foot convenience store on 36 acres along Courthouse Road, next to Interstate 95 at exit 140, near the Embrey Mill neighborhood. If approved by the Board of Supervisors, the new Buc-ee’s location will feature 120 gas pumps and could significantly alter the local landscape.
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The Stafford County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted 6-1 on Tuesday evening to approve a zoning reclassification for developing the Stafford Technology Campus, a project poised to reshape over 500 acres of land in the county’s Falmouth District. The decision reclassifies the lane from an A-1 Agricultural Zoning District to an M-2 Heavy Industrial Zoning District, clearing the way for one of the country's most significant developments. Rock Hill District Supervisor Crystal Vanuch voted against the rezoning.
Project Details
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Prince William County is navigating challenges as it seeks to balance the growing demand for data centers with its aspirations for technological innovation and education, particularly around the George Mason University SciTech Campus.
This dynamic was discussed at the Prince William Board of County Supervisors meeting on September 10, when leaders and stakeholders expressed concerns over how the expansion of data centers could impact the county's economic growth potential, particularly at the college's Innovation District, outside Manassas.
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Stafford's Economic Development team is launching a new program for aspiring and established business owners.
The "Strategic Pop-Up Advisory & Resource Knowledge" (SPARK) program will serve as a form of "office hours" for community members to visit with members of Economic Development office to ask questions and discuss business matters. The mentorship series will be held at different days, times, and locations throughout Stafford.
