Manassas To Acquire Shopping Center For Future Redevelopment

MANASSAS, VA — The City of Manassas Economic Development Authority has acquired a shopping center for the purpose of future redevelopment.

The $16 million purchase of Manassas Shopping Center at 9018 Mathis Avenue comes from the city's one-time American Rescue Plan Act and capital reserve funds in the fiscal 2025 budget. The proposed sale does not impact the city's tax rate, according to the city.

"The acquisition of the Manassas Shopping Center offers a generational opportunity to redevelop Mathis Avenue, a key gateway into the City," said Interim City Manager Douglas Keen in a statement. "The shopping center has seen vacancy rates rise and its value decline. By redeveloping the property we will build value and create a space where residents will want to live, shop and
visit. Support for redevelopment of our older commercial areas and gateways into the city has been expressed in past resident surveys."

The shopping center dates back to 1959 and has 100,000 square feet of building space on 13.5 acres. Existing tenants will have continued leases in the short term, but they will eventually be relocated. Any leases to new tenants would happen for the short term.

The city is inviting residents to share ideas for future uses of the shopping center space, including interim uses.

"During Community Conversations for the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, residents told us they would like to see a more walkable neighborhood, more affordable housing options,
and more green space on Mathis Avenue," said Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger in a statement. "This purchase allows us to advance the long-term investment and vision of the residents and Council."

Planning is underway for another project outside the shopping center. The Mathis Avenue project seeks to turn Mathis Avenue into a more multimodal road with a planted median, one lane in each direction and dedicated turn lanes between Sudley Road and Liberia Avenue. The Mathis Avenue corridor was identified as an Opportunity Zone under the 2017 Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which offers incentives for investing in areas with uneven economic growth.

The Manassas Shopping Center is expected to increase in value when redeveloped. According to the city, the shopping center's current leasing generates $1 million in revenues.

The proposed purchase comes as the city has made numerous purchases for public projects or redevelopment.

"While we acquire some properties for public use, like our new fire station and public safety facility, others like the Olde Towne Inn, and now this shopping center, are purchased for redevelopment into new projects that generate more revenue and improve the character
of the community," said Patrick Small, director of economic development. "We also occasionally identify surplus property that can be sold, and we sell property the City has land-banked for future development, like the recent sale to AWS by the Airport and our ongoing development of the Landing at Cannon Branch."

The city expects the shopping center purchase to be complete in July or August. Residents can provide input on the city's fiscal year 2025 budget, which includes the shopping center purchase. A town hall will happen at 7 p.m. on March 18, and a public hearing will be held at 5:30 p.m. on April 22, both at Jennie Dean Elementary School, 9601 Prince William St.

For future updates about the project, visit www.manassasva.gov/msc.