MANASSAS, Va. -- In the building where once a daily newspaper was produced, vines now grow up the façade, grass grows up through cracks in the parking lot, and a sign still hangs on the front door of 9009 Church Street stating all deliveries need to be taken around back.
But no one has occupied the old Manassas Journal Messenger building since the newspaper, which changed its name to News & Messenger after combining with the Potomac News of Woodbridge, ceased publication in 2012.
It went on the market shortly after the newspaper closed only to find no buyers. It was last sold for $1.7 million to the World Media Enterprises, which bought the old newspaper from Media General, Inc. in 2011. Today, the 74-year-old building is worth $1.5 million, according to a city property assessment.
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