Editor's Note:
This is the first in a three-part series exploring Virginia Railway Express’ (VRE) ambitious System Plan 2050, which outlines a vision for how the commuter rail system could grow over the next 25 years. We'll break down what the plan means for the region, what riders can expect, and how the system hopes to pay for its bold goals.
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MANASSAS PARK, Va. — Manassas Park homeowners could see their tax bills rise by hundreds of dollars under the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget, despite a planned reduction in the city's real estate tax rate.
City Manager Carl Cole presented the $129 million budget to the Governing Body on April 22, 2025, proposing a one-cent reduction to the real estate tax rate, which would lower it to $1.395 per $100 of assessed value. However, because the average assessed value of residential properties increased by 7.48%, the typical single-family homeowner, with an average home value of $507,689, would still pay approximately $483 more in real estate taxes next year.
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MANASSAS PARK, Va. — A major residential project proposed just outside Manassas Park's borders is moving through its second round of review in Prince William County, and city leaders are taking a close look at the plan's potential impact on local roads and services.
Representatives from D.R. Horton, the developer behind the Mayfield Crossing project, and attorney Noah Klein of Venable LLP presented an updated site plan to the Manassas Park Governing Body during its April 15, 2025, meeting. The project site, approximately 20 acres located at the intersection of Manassas Drive and Signal View Drive, is nearly surrounded by Manassas Park city limits.
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The Manassas Park Governing Body will meet on Tuesday to review several vital items impacting regional development, transportation, and public safety.
Here’s what residents can expect:
Mayfield Crossing Development Presentation
The Governing Body will hear a presentation from DR Horton and legal representatives about the proposed Mayfield Crossing development, located at the corner of Manassas Drive and Signal View Drive in Prince William County.
The site is currently undeveloped, and the developer has submitted a second rezoning application to Prince William County. Manassas Park staff, who have been engaged in the planning process since 2023, submitted comments on April 1, 2025, voicing the city’s priorities and concerns. The current concept includes:
- 180 townhomes (a reduction from the original 288)
- Enhanced pedestrian connections to nearby parks and trails
- Open space amenities like a dog park, playground, and recreation fields
- Off-site improvements such as underground utilities and sidewalk expansions
- City officials will review how the project may affect traffic and community character.
Rail with Trail Study Moves Forward Without Federal Funding
After failing to secure a federal grant last year, Manassas Park, the City of Manassas, and Prince William County are moving forward with a self-funded Rail with Trail Phase 1 Study.
- The study, with a total cost of $268,600, will examine the feasibility of constructing a 3-mile multi-use trail running alongside the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) Manassas Line—from Downtown Manassas to the Bull Run Trail in Fairfax County. Manassas Park will contribute $90,000 toward the study.
- The study will evaluate potential alignments, estimate construction costs, and include public input. It is part of a larger long-term effort listed in the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority’s Six-Year Program and the Visualize 2045 National Capital Trail Network.
- The goal is to complete the study in time to submit a joint funding application for the next NVTA funding cycle.
Crime Solvers Program Presentation
Manassas Park residents will get an in-depth look at the Manassas City / Manassas Park Crime Solvers program, which allows citizens to anonymously report crime tips to local police.
Key highlights include:
- A 24-hour confidential tip line (703-330-0330) and online P3 Tip Portal
- Cash rewards of up to $1,000 for tips that lead to arrests
- A volunteer board that manages fundraising, program promotion, and reward distribution
- Founded in 1987 and expanded to Manassas Park in 2012, Crime Solvers is a community-based, nonprofit organization working to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the public. Both cities’ police departments endorse the program and relies on donations to operate.
The meeting will take place at City Hall, 100 Park Central Plaza, Manassas Park, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. inside the city hall board meeting room
For more information or to view the full agenda, manassasparkva.gov/government/governing_body/meetings_agendas___minutes/index.php
Let us know if you plan to attend or have questions about these agenda items. You can also follow our continuing coverage for updates after the meeting.
Public transportation in Northern Virginia is seeing a significant rebound as ridership continues to climb on both Virginia Railway Express (VRE) trains and OmniRide commuter and local buses. However, transit leaders warn that increased demand may soon outpace available resources, especially for locally funded services.
During its March 2025 meeting, the VRE Operations Board reported that ridership in February topped 152,000 trips—despite only 19 service days and early-month weather disruptions. March figures are on pace to surpass that total significantly. With only 14 service days logged by mid-month, March had already recorded more than 162,000 trips. Average weekday ridership has climbed to more than 11,500 trips.
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On Tuesday, Manassas Park City Schools presented the governing body with a $64.8 million operating budget for Fiscal Year 2026. The budget outlines key priorities to improve academic performance, boost teacher compensation, and expand student wellness and mental health services.
Superintendent Dr. Melissa Saunders and Finance Director Mr. Lyon led the presentation, which showcased the division’s efforts to balance rising costs with a continued decline in student enrollment.
“This budget reflects our commitment to reimagining the school experience, supporting our staff, and ensuring our students are safe and supported every day,” said Saunders.
Key Budget Priorities
The FY26 budget, approved by the School Board on March 3, is structured around four major priorities:
- Literacy and Math Improvement: Expansion of the Virginia Literacy Act compliance to middle school grades and the addition of 43 English Language Learner (ELL) teaching positions to meet updated state mandates. The school division’s ELL population now makes up 45% of the student body, compared to the state average of 12%.
- Staff Compensation and Benefits: Teachers and classified staff will receive an average 5.2% raise, including a 2% step and 3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Managerial staff will receive a 4.2% average increase. The top pay scale staff will receive a $1,000 supplement. The budget also includes six weeks of paid parental leave after one year of employment and increases paid time off to 15 days annually.
- Student Support Services: The budget adds a school counselor, a Dean of Students at the high school, and front office staff to assist with increased call volume. It maintains three attendance specialists and extends the use of Care Solace, a 24/7 multilingual mental health care referral service for students, families, and staff. Free breakfast and lunch for all students will continue.
- Sustainability: The division will draw $872,078 from the City’s School Reserve Fund to help cover salary obligations. That fund, created in 2023, is intended to stabilize school funding as enrollment declines and staff costs rise.
Student Enrollment Declining, Needs Increasing
Enrollment is projected to dip slightly to 3,372 students next year, down from 3,624 in 2020. At the same time, student needs have increased significantly:
- 55% of students are economically disadvantaged
- 15% receive special education services
- 45% are English Language Learners
Saunders noted that while enrollment declines, the staffing demands grow due to state requirements for lower student-teacher ratios in high-need populations.
Long-Term Forecast Raises Concerns
A five-year budget forecast included in the presentation shows rising shortfalls beginning in FY27, with a projected $4.7 million gap by FY30. The FY30 projection also includes a placeholder $36 million investment in a potential Career and Technical Education (CTE) wing at the high school.
Despite the looming financial challenges, school leaders emphasized that the FY26 budget reflects careful planning and a “needs-based, zero-based” development process.
Capital Projects and Other Highlights
The FY26 capital budget includes $2.1 million in school infrastructure upgrades, including bus replacements, generator installations, lighting and flooring improvements, and front entrance safety upgrades.
The budget also maintains free meals for all students, funded through the division’s food services fund.
What’s Next
The School Board’s approved budget will now be incorporated into the City of Manassas Park’s overall FY26 budget. No formal action by the Governing Body was required during the March 18 meeting.
“We’re proud of the work being done in our schools and believe this budget reflects our community’s values,” said Saunders.
Editor’s note: View the full budget presentation.
“I was at the Jail Board meeting as a member of the public but was turned away, along with several others,” said resident Ben Walters in an email to Potomac Local News. “Jail Board staff claimed there wasn’t enough room, yet I understand there were empty seats… I submitted written comments well in advance, but they were not made available at the meeting. And since I wasn’t allowed in, I also had no opportunity to present them verbally.”
Walters and others told Potomac Local News that he had hoped to raise concerns about the Board’s current position on Section 287(g) — a federal program that allows local jail officers to identify and refer suspected undocumented immigrants to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for potential removal.
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Get Ready for an Unforgettable Summer at Manassas Park Community Center
Summer is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to start planning for an action-packed season at Manassas Park Community Center’s Summer Camps.
Join us on Saturday, March 22, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. for our Summer Camp Open House—your one-stop shop to explore all the incredible camps we’re offering this year. Meet our staff, learn about exciting camp themes like Safari Week and Kingdom Adventure, and secure your spot.
Exclusive BOGO Deal
Get early access to the Summer Camp BOGO Deal! Register during the Open House and get buy one, get one half off, valid for up to four camps.
With camps for preschoolers, school-age kids, teens, and athletes, there’s something for everyone. Plus, before and aftercare options make scheduling easy for busy parents.
- “We highly encourage parents to come to our open house because the BOGO deal will be available during event hours.” — Samantha Wollschlager, Youth Programs & Camps Recreation Specialist
- “We have some exciting themes this year, like Safari Week, where kids will visit the Leesburg Zoo, along with fun arts and crafts that match the weekly themes.” — Samantha Wollschlager
- “Our summer camp open house is all about letting residents and non-residents see what camps we offer and making registration easier by handling it in-house.” — Samantha Wollschlager
Learn more and register early: mpdpr.com/summercampsÂ
Location: Manassas Park Community Center
Spots fill up fast, so don’t wait. Join us for an exciting summer your child will never forget.
Summer fun at Signal Bay Waterpark will start a little later than expected this year. The city of Manassas Park has announced a delayed opening due to ongoing renovations. According to a statement from city officials, the park will now welcome visitors on Monday, June 23, about a month later than initially planned.
The city assured patrons that the delay is due to necessary improvements to enhance the park experience. "We appreciate your patience as we put the finishing touches on these exciting improvements," the statement read. "If any unforeseen construction setbacks affect the opening date, we’ll let you know right away!"
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Residents voiced strong opposition during the March 4, 2025, governing body meeting after the city voted 4-3 to disband the 50th Anniversary Planning Committee. The decision, made without public comment beforehand, drew sharp criticism from former officials and community members who accused the governing body of a lack of transparency and disregard for volunteer efforts.
Laura Hampton, a former governing body member, condemned the decision, stating that it was based on misinformation and made without consultation.
