Members of the Manassas City Council voiced support for efforts to keep teacher pay competitive with neighboring Prince William County Schools during a joint meeting with the city’s School Board on March 26, 2025—even as the city faces tighter fiscal limitations and a far smaller student population.
The meeting came one day after the School Board adopted its overall budget for the next fiscal year on March 25, which includes $60.9 million in funding for Manassas City Public Schools. While the budget already includes a 5.5% average pay raise for all school employees, School Board members said an additional $1.7 million would allow them to offer a 7% increase—matching the raise announced by Prince William County Schools.
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Drivers should expect delays on Route 28 (Centreville Road) as the Virginia Department of Transportation begins repairs to the bridge over Bull Run, located at the Fairfax County and Prince William County line.
Weather permitting, the work will involve single-lane closures between March 31 and April 24, during daytime hours:
Southbound Route 28 (Centreville Road) right lane closures:
- March 31–April 3
- April 7–10
- 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day
Northbound Route 28 right lane closures:
- April 14–17
- April 21–24
- 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day
VDOT advises drivers to seek alternate routes and use caution in work zones.
Manassas to Strike Bypass from Transportation Plans
The bridge repairs come just as the City of Manassas is working to officially remove the Route 28 Bypass project from its long-term transportation planning documents. During the March 24, 2025, City Council meeting, City Manager Steven Burke told elected leaders:
“We are developing opportunities for Council’s consideration regarding the elimination of the Route 28 Bypass Project.”
The bypass — once intended to redirect traffic away from city streets through a new highway in the floodplain west of Manassas — was canceled earlier this year after mounting environmental concerns, ballooning costs, and sustained community opposition. The bypass was slated to take over 50 homes by extending Godwin Drive across the Bull Run to Fairfax County.
Vega: “Let’s Widen the Road We Have”
Following the cancelation, Coles District Supervisor Yesli Vega issued a directive in late February urging local and state officials to focus on widening Route 28 along its current footprint rather than building new roadways.
“The people along Route 28 have waited long enough for relief,” Vega said. “Let’s widen the road we have.”
Vega’s proposal includes:
- Expanding the road to three lanes in each direction
- Installing new traffic signals
- Adding sidewalks and crosswalks to improve safety
- Vega also urged Prince William County transportation staff to redirect funding originally allocated for the bypass to the new widening plan, marking a significant shift in the region’s transportation priorities.
VRE Planning Tied to Route 28 Corridor
Meanwhile, Virginia Railway Express (VRE) coordinates closely with the SJR 28 Moves legislative subcommittee, which studies long-term transportation and transit options for the Route 28 corridor.
During its March board meeting, VRE staff said the agency’s System Plan 2050 will feed directly into the subcommittee’s recommendations, expected by the end of this year. The effort could result in legislation to fund multi-modal solutions, including bus and rail improvements, along the busy corridor.
A small group of demonstrators gathered outside the Prince William County Judicial Center in Manassas on Friday afternoon to protest President Donald Trump's alarming consolidation of executive power.
The protest, organized by Will Stewart of Indivisible NoVA West, drew about 10 attendees. The group selected the courthouse as a symbolic backdrop to highlight what they described as the judiciary's critical role in holding the executive branch accountable.
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“I was at the Jail Board meeting as a member of the public but was turned away, along with several others,” said resident Ben Walters in an email to Potomac Local News. “Jail Board staff claimed there wasn’t enough room, yet I understand there were empty seats… I submitted written comments well in advance, but they were not made available at the meeting. And since I wasn’t allowed in, I also had no opportunity to present them verbally.”
Walters and others told Potomac Local News that he had hoped to raise concerns about the Board’s current position on Section 287(g) — a federal program that allows local jail officers to identify and refer suspected undocumented immigrants to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for potential removal.
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More than a year after the city demolished the Olde Towne Inn, efforts are underway to improve the now vacant lot in the heart of downtown Manassas. The city recently announced a $160,000 project to convert the space into a temporary parking lot, a move that comes as plans for a new hotel on the site have stalled.
The Olde Towne Inn, which stood at 9405 Main Street, was purchased by the Manassas Economic Development Authority for $5.75 million in February 2023. The motel, a downtown staple for decades, was razed in November 2023 to make way for a new hotel or mixed-use development. However, financing issues and parking constraints have complicated efforts to attract developers.
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East Coast Wings + Grill, known for its wide variety of wing flavors, has opened its newest location in Manassas. The restaurant, at 9805 Liberia Ave., Suite 121, celebrated its grand opening on Tuesday, March 18.
Local entrepreneurs David and Lisa Ware own the new eatery. The husband-and-wife duo are first-time franchisees, drawn to the brand after experiencing it on a business trip. David Ware, who grew up in a family that owned a restaurant and catering business, has spent the past 16 years working as a consultant in both the private and public sectors. Recognizing an opportunity to bring a popular dining option to Manassas, the couple decided to invest in the franchise.
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Veteran Tax Relief Sparks Heated Debate
During the March 17 meeting, comments from Commissioner of the Revenue Tim Demeria ignited strong reactions from residents and veterans. Demeria raised concerns about the increasing cost of tax exemptions for 100% disabled veterans, pointing out that some beneficiaries own high-value homes and luxury vehicles. His remarks led to backlash from veterans, including Zach Murphy, who viewed them as dismissive of their service and sacrifices.
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The MCPS Board held a budget public hearing during its March 11 meeting, which was largely attended by teachers and employees of the district. The $151 million proposed budget was presented on Feb. 25 with a 5.5% salary increase and a $1 million cut to intervention services for at-risk students.
Kristen Whatley, a speech-language pathologist (SLP) in the district, said MCPS needed to increase its minimum salary to stay competitive with neighboring jurisdictions.
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A Goodwill of Greater Washington store at 8014 Sudley Road in Manassas will relocate to 8117 Sudley Road, the Westgate Plaza shopping center, across from its current location.
The store is relocating to expand and attract new business from the busier shopping center. Existing employees will move to the new store, although hiring is ongoing.
