Manassas parking garage closure ignites review

The $11 million parking garage that was long touted as a way to bring more people into Old Town Manassas will be closed Saturday, at the same time the city is scheduled to host one of the region’s largest Fourth of July celebrations.

There will be carnival food, boardwalk games, a hayride and a large fireworks show at dark.

But more than 500 parking spaces inside the garage that sits next to the Virginia Railway Express commuter rail station will remain empty on the holiday.

“There were many council members that thought it would be great to see the garage open this year, me being one of them, but from a public safety standpoint the thought was that there would be too many people getting into their cars and trying to leave at one time after the fireworks were over,” said Manassas Mayor Harry J. “Hal” Parrish II.

The city’s “Celebrate America” party is scheduled to kick off at 4 p.m., with events staggered throughout the day.

Parrish said the number of revelers is expected to grow exponentially after 4 p.m. until the fireworks start, making for potentially crowded streets throughout Old Town.

Then, once they’re over, a mass exodus of people is expected.

“I think we are doing the right thing by keeping it closed for the holiday,” added Manassas Vice Mayor Andrew Harrover.

More than a month ago residents petitioned the Manassas City Council, asking officials to close the garage to cars, but allow spectators to watch the fireworks from the garage’s top parking deck.

In May, Manassas police Chief John J. Skinner suggested closing the structure altogether, citing the garage was not built for spectators because it lacks enough entrances and exits, smoke detectors, fire sprinklers and restrooms.

Skinner, the fire marshal and the fire chief reviewed the matter again and made another presentation to the council.

After listening to Skinner, the council made a final decision to close the garage for the Fourth of July.

But Parrish alluded to the possibility the garage could be opened for Fourth of July celebrations in coming years.

“Since it is the first year it has been available, we are taking a look at other jurisdictions that have parking decks in their old town areas,” said Parrish.

Some of those focus cities include Leesburg and Williamsburg, he said.

The city will provide free parking for those who attend the celebration, in the parking lot of the Manassas Museum and at the nearby “F” commuter lot across the street.

Additional free parking will be available at other commuter lots on Prince William Street, at Baldwin Elementary on Main Street and Metz Middle School on Wellington Road.

“Old Town is open and we’re going to have a great fireworks show this year,” said Parrish.

The garage is located next to the Old Town’s Virginia Railway Express commuter rail station. It boasts five levels of parking spaces, most of which are occupied by VRE riders during weekdays.

The nearly $13 million structure was opened about a year ago, after months of delays blamed on construction issues.

Staff writer Uriah A. Kiser can be reached at 703-878-8065.