The Little City That Could

Home to one of Northern Virginia’s largest commuter rail stations, Manassas Park is steadily transforming into a hub of innovation and growth. Its convenient access to Washington, D.C., coupled with a strong sense of community, offers the perfect blend of urban convenience and small-town charm. With a deep connection between city leaders and residents, the city is fostering development while maintaining a close-knit, family-oriented atmosphere—making it a desirable place to build both careers and lives.

Led by a dedicated team of city officials, including Mayor Jeanette Rishell, City Council member Laura Hampton, interim City Manager Keith Nguyen, and Melissa Williams, Event Coordinator, Manassas Park is not only addressing its past fiscal challenges but also setting the stage for a prosperous future. What makes this city unique is its infrastructure developments or plans for smart growth and how its leaders and citizens have come together to create a community that feels like home, regardless of its growth.

COMEBACK STORY

Manassas Park’s journey hasn’t always been easy. The city once faced a severe financial crisis that left it with a general obligation debt of $160 million and a negative fund balance, forcing it to take out revenue anticipation loans to cover payroll. Mayor Rishell recalls,“The city was in intensive care, fiscally distressed. It wasn’t easy, but we clawed our way back through careful financial decisions and a spirit of cooperation.”

Hampton echoes this sentiment, describing the city’s resilience: “We like to call ourselves the ‘little city that could.’ From the very beginning, our city has had a spirit of innovation. The groundwork laid by those who came before us has enabled us to become what we are today—a thriving community built on more than 50 years of forward-thinking leadership.”

That leadership has been instrumental in transforming Manassas Park from a struggling municipality into a fiscally responsible and forward-looking city. Through teamwork and discipline, city leaders made hard decisions that ultimately allowed Manassas Park to regain financial stability while also preparing for future growth. “We’re problem solvers,” Hampton continues. “We do it as a team, and everyone works together.”

BIG CITY AMENITIES

Nguyen emphasizes that Manassas Park maintains a strong sense of community where personal relationships between residents and city staff are common. In this tight-knit environment, the fire department is aware of residents with serious health concerns, and police officers can directly approach the city manager to discuss issues. Unlike larger cities where people can feel anonymous, Manassas Park preserves its small-town charm by fostering a family-like atmosphere, even as the city grows and evolves.

Hampton shares a personal story that encapsulates the city’s caring spirit. “Earlier this year, my mother had to call an ambulance. Our fire department responded not because I’m on the city council but because they’ve known our family for years. That level of compassion and personal attention is rare, and it’s something we value greatly in Manassas Park.”

The city’s police and fire departments are deeply embedded in the community, ensuring residents feel safe and connected. “Our safety personnel are involved in almost every city event,” adds Nguyen. “They are a critical part of what makes this city work.”

BOOSTING ACCESSIBILITY

Manassas Park is undergoing several major infrastructure projects that will further enhance its appeal as a residential and commercial destination. One of the most anticipated projects is the new Virginia Railway Express (VRE) parking garage next to City Hall. The garage will transform the city into a public transportation hub, making it more accessible for residents and visitors. Nguyen explains, “The VRE garage is a game changer. It’s going to put Manassas Park on the map as a destination. Not only will it make public transportation more convenient, but it will also provide additional parking for downtown, which will help drive commercial activity.”

In addition to the VRE garage, Manassas Park recently opened a new state-of-the-art City Hall, built through an innovative lease-revenue bond
that didn’t impact current taxpayers. This facility now houses city administration, the treasurer’s office, and even school administration, all under one roof. Nguyen adds,“Our new City Hall is a source of pride for residents. It’s a modern, efficient space that serves the community’s needs.”

The city has also made significant strides in securing grant funding for other important projects. Manassas Park has directly and indirectly benefited from approximately $60 million in state and federal grants for city and regional transportation improvements that included street repaving and lighting upgrades. These projects aim to enhance pedestrian and drivermsafety and the overall quality of life in the city.

Mayor Rishell emphasizes the importance of outside funding for a city of modest means like Manassas Park: “We are constantly looking for ways to bring in external funding to support our growth. For example, the VRE garage is entirely funded through grants, so it’s not costing our residents anything.”

LIBRARIES MANAGED DIFFERENTLY

In 2022, Manassas Park, in partnership with LS&S, opened the Park Central Library, a dynamic hub for learning, discovery, creation, and connection. This modern, larger facility offers cutting edge amenities such as virtual reality, 3D printing, and advanced technology, alongside a robust collection of books, digital materials, and movies.

Manassas Park had been facing tough financial decisions, and leaders realized that the county-run library model no longer met the community’s needs effectively. Driven by a desire to better serve residents and recognizing that a thriving public library is essential to a vibrant community, leaders decided to prioritize the library and align its offerings more closely with local needs. As a result, Manassas Park withdrew from the county system and partnered with LS&S to establish its own library.

The success of the Park Central Library has been fueled by an innovative approach, encompassing not only vision and service delivery but also financial and operational strategies. By adopting unconventional methods, community leaders have been able to address local needs more effectively and achieve a strong return on investment, ensuring the library remains a cornerstone of community growth and engagement.

SMART GROWTH AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING

As Manassas Park grows, city leaders are committed to ensuring the development is sustainable and beneficial to the community. The city’s approach to smart growth focuses on attracting businesses and developers who can contribute to the community without overwhelming its resources. Nguyen explains, “We always ask ourselves, ‘Is this a smart
development? Will it bring value to the city, and does it fit our vision for the future?’ We want to ensurethat any new development enhances the quality of life for our residents.”

One of the key challenges in the region is the rising cost of housing. However, Manassas Park remains one of the last affordable housing markets in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Homes in the city range from the mid $400,000 and up, making them attractive options for families and first-time homebuyers in an extremely competitive market. The city also tries to include affordable and workforce housing units in new developments, ensuring that people from all income levels can find a home here.

Mayor Rishell is proud of the city’s housing efforts: “We’re excited about the new developments downtown, including two-over-two very popular homes. We also have many housing options, from affordable family homes to senior housing, ensuring that Manassas Park remains accessible to everyone.”

Nguyen adds,“The rising property values are a good sign for the city, as they increase our tax base and allow us to invest more in public services. But we are always mindful balancing that with the need for affordable housing options.”

GREEN SPACES AND COMMUNITY HUBS

So, what makes Manassas Park such an attractive place to live, work, and do business? For starters, it’s the city’s combination of suburban tranquility and easy access to urban amenities.“We’re close enough to Washington, D.C., that you can enjoy everything the capital has to offer,” says Nguyen, “but we’re far enough away to escape the hustle and bustle.”

The city’s green spaces are another major draw for families. With two active parks and a massive 200 acre passive park, residents enjoy plenty of outdoor spaces. The city’s community center, which features an indoor swimming pool, basketball courts, and rental fields for soccer, cricket, and football, is also a hub of activity. “Our pickleball courts are incredibly popular,” laughs Nguyen. “It’s amazing how much people love pickleball here!”

The community center is more than just a place for recreation. It’s a gathering place for residents, offering programs and activities for people of all ages. From Pee Wee basketball to swim competitions, the center reflects the city’s commitment to fostering a sense of community.

Manassas Park also boasts a strong school system, with small class sizes and personal attention for each student.“Our school administrators know every graduating senior by name,” says Hampton. “That’s the personal connection you won’t find in larger school districts.”

COMMUNITY SPIRIT SHINES

Manassas Park’s sense of community shines through various events and festivals, many of which have been spearheaded by Melissa Williams, the city’s downtown event coordinator. One of the most popular events is “Last Fridays,” a monthly themed celebration featuring food, music, dancing, and activities for residents and their pets. “We wanted to create something unique to Manassas Park,” says Williams. “Last Fridays have become a huge hit, drawing over a thousand people monthly.”

The city’s farmer’s market, which Williams describes as “a trip around the world in the morning,” has also become a beloved fixture in the community. The market features vendors from various cultural backgrounds, offering everything from Thai food to locally grown produce. “It’s a place where families can come together, shop, and enjoy each other’s company,” says Williams.

In addition to these monthly events, the city hosts an array of annual celebrations, including Falloween, a combination of Fall and Halloween festivities, and the Winter Light Parade, a nighttime holiday event where floats are decked out in dazzling lights. “Our Winter Light Parade is unique,” says Williams.“People come from all over to see it, and it captures the spirit of the season.”

Manassas Park’s commitment to bringing people together doesn’t stop there. The city has also introduced a night food market, inspired by European traditions, that caters to families on the go. “It’s perfect for people who are just getting off work or have been running around all day,” says Williams. “They can stop by, grab food, and enjoy live music
while the kids play in the splash pad.”

FINANCIAL STRENGTH AND FUTURE VISION

As Manassas Park continues to grow, its leaders are focused on maintaining the city’s unique sense of community while preparing for future challenges. Mayor Rishell is optimistic about the city’s financial outlook: “We’re proud to have earned an AA rating from Standard & Poor’s and an AA3 rating from Moody’s. That’s a testament to the hard work we’ve put in to stabilize our finances and build a strong foundation for the future.” Nguyen adds,“We’ve made so much progress in the past few years, but there’s still more to come. We’re excited about what the future holds for Manassas Park, and we’re committed to ensuring that the city remains a place where families and businesses can thrive.”

“No matter how big we get, we will always be a community-based city,” says Williams. “That’s what makes Manassas Park special, and that will continue to define us as we move forward.”

For those looking for a city that combines opportunity with a sense of belonging, Manassas Park is more than just a place to live—it’s a place to call home.

PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER
Library Systems & Services
www.lsslibraries.com
As the nation’s only company focused on operating public libraries, LS&S is trusted by community leaders to provide library vitality, growth and service excellence. For more
than four decades, LS&S has partnered with communities to balance cost and service, apply best practices and expertise, and deliver tailored library services.

NOVEC
www.novec.com
NOVEC, a not-for profit electric cooperative, provides reliable, affordable and safe electricity. It is owned by its 180,000 members in Prince William, Fairfax, Loudoun, Fauquier, Stafford and Clarke counties, the city of Manassas Park, and the town of Clifton. NOVEC is the nation’s largest electric cooperative based on energy sales.

OmniRide
www.omniride.com
OmniRide has provided mobility services for Northern Virginia for over three decades. This includes local bus service in eastern Prince William County (PWC) and Manassas, Express service for commuters between PWC, and employment centers in Northern Virginia/ Washington D.C. along with Metro Express to Metrorail stations, and carpool/vanpool assistance.