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.
But there are new plans for this space and if approved, the building, like the newspaper that was made here, will go away. A total of 94 new multifamily homes, or condos, along with 3,500 square feet of retail space, could be built here. Residents and shoppers would park across the street at a newly expanded parking lot.
A public hearing with the Manassas Planning Commission will be held at Manassas City Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 3, where residents can learn more about the project proposed by Rector Construction, and where they can speak their minds.
It comes as Van Metre’s Old Town Square project adjacent to the old newspaper building has been quick to fill up with new residents.
“There’s a market for a more urban style units, that’s what you’re seeing the Van Metre project that is architecturally attractive . There is several demographics – many younger people who cannot afford to buy a lager home — who want to live in an urban area,” said Jay DuVon, with Walsh, Collucci, Lubeley & Walsh, a law firm hired by the developer to work with city officials.
The old Journal Messenger building didn’t always house a newspaper, however. Once, it was home to an old Safeway store that DuVon, who grew up in Manassas, would visit as a child. When the grocer moved out of Old Town for the comforts of more parking spaces at a larger, more traditional shopping center, things changed in Old Town.
“That was real dagger to the heart for retail when Safeway moved out,” said DuVon.
DuVon says he remembers the Safeway moving out of Old Town sometime between the 1950s and 60s.
This new project would benefit all of the businesses in Old Town by bringing more residents to the city center. The building is near the Manassas Virginia Railway Express commuter rail station, and it’s consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan for the neighborhood, said DuVon.
Next to the old Journal Messenger building at the Olde Towne Inn, the City Tavern is readying to move out from a place it has called home for 20 years. The restaurant will move further west on Va. 28 to 9550 Centreville Road, the home of the old KC’s Restaurant, in search of cheaper rent, one City Tavern owner told PotomacLocal.com earlier this year.
More redevelopment projects like the one at the old Journal Messenger building site could be coming to Old Town Manassas. But don’t expect them on the blocks between Main Street and Va. 234 (Dumfries Road). Those buildings, said DuVon, are historic and they will not be torn down.
If the city’s Planning Commission approves the mixed-use property it could go before City Council as early as Oct. 20.
