Economic Development Authority Details Purchase Agreements Near Manassas Shopping Center

MANASSAS, VA — The future vision for redeveloping the Manassas Shopping Center includes incorporating several surrounding properies.

On Wednesday, the Manassas Economic Development Authority released details about purchase agreements for three properties near the Manassas Shopping Center. According to the authority, the three land parcels would be incorporated into the larger shopping center "to create a much more valuable and functional site that is primed for redevelopment."

Two of the land parcels are vacant lots in the former Scotty’s Texaco location at the corner of Porter Avenue and Sudley Road. The economic development authority says an environmental survey shows no concerns after the site was cleaned up. The third land parcel is a vacant single-family home and outbuildings along Portner Avenue adjacent to the other two lots.

In all, they would add nearly two acres to the 17-acre Manassas Shopping Center that the economic development authority already owns. The economic development authority says the three lots would provide a better buffer between the development and residential neighborhood along Portner Avenue and improve access to the site and curb appeal.

The combined price for all three land parcels is $1.5 million, which the economic development authority says is what the properties are assessed for.

City Council is considering sending $725,000 of capital reserve funds to the Manassas Economic Development Authority to purchase the residential property. On Monday, the council deferred the decision to its next meeting. The economic development authority is also using revenues from shopping center leases.

"All public funds being invested in redeveloping the Mathis corridor are expected to be repaid from the future sale of the properties and increased revenues generated by new development," the. economic development authority said in a news release. "Intangible benefits include beginning to clean up a commercial corridor which has become blighted over the past few decades as well as bringing in new business and residential opportunities planned by the community during the development of the City’s Comprehensive Plan."

The city had acquired the Manassas Shopping Center in 2024 using $16 million in one-time American Rescue Plan Act and capital reserve funds. The shopping center has been plagued with increasing vacancies, and the city is looking into long-term redevelopment options for the property. the city government recently held two community meetings to gather public feedback on future uses of the city-purchased Manassas Shopping Center.

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