A popular parking lot outside Manassas’ iconic train station is open for business again – officially.
City officials announced a new rental agreement between Manassas and the lot’s owner, Lawrence Buchanan, so visitors can once again park their cars at the lot at 9106 Prince William Street. The lot is commonly used for festivals held in Downtown Manassas.
Buchanan will be paid $4,000 per month by the city for the rental of his property, more than 5% more than what the city had been paying to rent the lot, said spokeswoman Patty Prince. The five-year contract has a built-in escalation of 3% annually.
Reached Monday morning, Buchannan said he wasn’t able to comment on the agreement.
City officials in January took down signs posted in the parking lot and distributed fliers letting drivers know if they parked at the lot they would be parking on private property, at their own risk. That happened after negotiations between the city and Buchannan broke down.
Buchanan, a retired U.S. Postal worker, in January told Potomac Local he wanted at least $5,000 per month for the lot, and to get to that number, he urged the city to install parking meters at each parking space so drivers would pay to park. Buchanan has been renting the lot to the city since 1989.
Despite the city’s warning to drivers, visitors have been parking at the lot. The train station is used by Virginia Railway Express and Amtrak, and is home to Historic Manassas Inc.
