Happy Friday, Manassas!
Welcome to another City Council preview, this time for the Feb. 24 regular meeting. This week’s meeting will be held at the City Hall Council Chambers at 9027 Center St.
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The Manassas City Council honored Police Chief Douglass Keen for serving as the city’s interim leader for over a year. The council recognized Keen for his dedication and leadership during a transition period.
During the Monday, February 10, City Council meeting, officials commended Keen for his role in ensuring the smooth operation of municipal services, overseeing key infrastructure projects, and helping secure a AAA credit rating upgrade for the city. Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger led the tribute, reading a proclamation that highlighted Keen’s achievements:
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The Manassas City Council has voted to extend a lucrative tax incentive for Micron Technology Inc. through 2035, solidifying the semiconductor company’s continued presence in the city. The agreement, approved during the February 10, 2025, council meeting, ensures that Micron’s annual tax payments will increase by 4% while maintaining a lower tax rate than other manufacturers.
However, the decision has sparked concerns about a potential conflict of interest involving Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger. Multiple sources indicate that Davis-Younger is in a relationship with Delbert Parks, Vice President and Site Director at Micron’s Manassas facility.
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Happy Friday, Manassas!
Welcome to another City Council preview, this time for the Feb. 10 regular meeting. This week’s meeting will be held at the City Hall Council Chambers at 9027 Center St.
Sign up for our FREE news email and never hesitate to email me at [email protected] with comments, questions and/or news tips.
Important links
Key agenda items
This article is for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade and Become a Locals Only Member today! Make the smart choice for staying informed about your community. Thank you!
At the Jan. 27 Manassas City Council Meeting, the Department of Economic Development detailed the economic health of the city in the past year as new businesses entered the city and tourism increased.
Patrick Small, director of the department, said his department prefers to track the results of his department's work rather than the number of business inquiries it receives or trade shows it attends.
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Police, Immigration, and Sanctuary City Status
When asked about Manassas’ approach to immigration enforcement, Davis Younger reiterated that the city’s police department does not conduct immigration raids, emphasizing that such actions are not within their jurisdiction. However, she declined to take a stance on whether local police should share information with federal authorities regarding undocumented individuals, stating that it was not her role to guide the matter.
Davis Younger also addressed concerns over Manassas being labeled a “sanctuary city,” a designation that has put it at risk of losing state and federal funding. She admitted that the city has not yet formulated a plan to replace funding should cuts occur. The City Council has not discussed the issue, and she expressed a “wait and see” approach, hoping financing would not be impacted.
Budget and Taxes
Davis Younger addressed concerns about rising property tax bills despite a flat tax rate, acknowledging the financial strain on residents. While she does not personally support raising taxes, she emphasized the challenges of maintaining essential services like police, fire, and education amid economic uncertainties. She expressed concerns over potential federal and state budget cuts but reaffirmed her commitment to minimizing the financial burden on residents.
Economic Development and City Planning
During her first term, Davis Younger prioritized significant redevelopment efforts, including removing the Olde Towne Inn, constructing Jenny Dean Elementary School, and establishing a community center. She noted that while some recent property acquisitions, like those on Mathis Avenue, were not initially her initiatives, they aligned with long-term city planning efforts to balance historic preservation with economic growth.
Regarding downtown development, she envisions a vibrant, walkable city and has considered models like Reston Town Center. However, she emphasized that Manassas’ small size (10 square miles) necessitates careful planning and selective development.
Data Centers and Regional Development
The mayor discussed the city’s approach to data centers, stating that she supports the four currently approved locations but does not favor rezoning additional areas for such projects. She desired thoughtful, aesthetically considerate placement to ensure they integrate well into the community.
Unlike other localities, Davis Younger does not view economic development as a competition between Manassas and Prince William County, emphasizing collaboration and focusing on what works best.
Governance and Community Engagement
Throughout her first term, Davis Younger worked to increase the visibility of Manassas at the regional and national levels. She fostered relationships with local leaders and attended events to elevate the city’s profile. While she remains committed to community engagement, she acknowledged that some outreach efforts, like public walks, attracted confrontational encounters and may need reevaluation.
She also addressed her decision not to seek voting power as mayor, explaining that she prefers to influence discussions rather than cast direct votes. However, she noted that being unable to vote on budget matters is a drawback.
Veterans Initiatives and Transportation Challenges
As she begins her second term, Davis Younger plans to launch a Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Council to support the veteran community better. She also discussed the ongoing debate over the now-canceled Route 28 bypass, which she believes would alleviate traffic congestion in Manassas. With the county potentially voting against the project, she acknowledged the city must explore alternative solutions.
Davis Younger remains committed to fostering a strong sense of community in Manassas, ensuring residents feel represented and involved. She aims to continue improving public services, advocating for responsible development, and keeping Manassas engaged in regional and national discussions.
Here’s the full interview transcript, edited for brevity: Read More
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.
The department is split into a few divisions: long-range planning, which deals with the vision for land use through policies, ordinances, studies and project planning; development services, which deals with plan reviews, permitting and inspections; property code enforcement, which enforces the city's codes; and the parks and recreation division, which maintains the facilities and puts on public programs.
The presentation only covered the progress made between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, since fiscal year 2025 began on July 1, 2024.
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Weems Elementary School in Manassas has seen remarkable progress in recent years, particularly in reducing chronic absenteeism and improving student literacy. Under the leadership of Principal Michelle Huppman, the school has created an environment focused on equity, achievement, and community involvement, leading to academic improvements.
One of the school's most notable achievements is reducing chronic absenteeism. In the 2022-2023 school year, Weems faced a concerning % chronic absence rate of 28%. This figure, which emerged after the pandemic, reflected the challenges many schools faced. However, the school has halved that number through dedication and hard work. "I am so happy to share with you that Weems' current chronic absence rate, as reflected in the school quality profile, is half of that number, down to 14%. This is a school community that rose to the challenge," said Sarah Brescia, a Manassas City school board member.
The improvement in attendance has had a direct impact on student achievement. Huppman explained, “Last year, we had a 24% increase in literacy pass rates for our students in kindergarten through second grade. For the Virginia Standards of Learning reading test, we had a 6% increase in pass rates for our students in third and fourth grade.” While math scores dropped slightly due to virtual instruction during the pandemic, Principal Huppman is optimistic about the future. "This year, we are fully staffed in all classrooms and in all instructional support positions without the need for virtual instructors," she said.
