Marsteller Property Discussions Continue After City Of Manassas Purchase

MANASSAS, VA — As the City of Manassas plans for its first recreational and community center, it will hold a community meeting for residents to share their ideas Tuesday evening.

In May, Manassas City Council voted to finalize the purchase of the 20-acre Marsteller property, which refers to the former Marsteller School. The city indicates on its website that the Marsteller property could become the city's 21st park with a community center, athletic fields, open land and a fire station. The athletic fields could include two diamond fields, a rectangular field and outdoor running track to help provide space for youth recreational leagues. Rentals of the existing rectangular field have been offered in the fall. Diamond field renovations are underway, with an anticipated opening on March 15, 2025.

Relocating the Fire Station 1 to the property would help with response times in the northern part of the city and be closer to the UVA Health Prince William Medical Center, according to the city. The city could pursue renovations to the building in 2025.

Manassas Baptist Church most recently owned the property since 2002 and sold it to the city for $9.9 million. The church is keeping its main church building and six surrounding acres. The church's homeless shelter continues to operate, along with other essential programs transitioning to the main building.

To determine uses for the existing building on the Marsteller property, the city is hosting community meetings in the fall. Tuesday's meeting at 8730 Sudley Road will include an open house and self-guided tour at 5:30 p.m., presentation at 6:30 p.m., break-out sessions at 6:50 p.m., and reporting back and next steps at 7:30 p.m. Free refreshments, Spanish interpretation and child care are available. Residents are asked to RSVP at www.manassasva.gov/marsteller.

Comments on the Marsteller property are also being accepted online.