Old Town Manassas Sensing an Upswing

After months of economic doom and gloom in Old Town Manassas, things are beginning to look up.
The new fiscal year started off with a bang at the Independence Day Celebrate America event. About 50,000 people came out and enjoyed the food, fun and entertainment that led up to a spectacular fireworks display.
The weather was a perfect complement to the large crowds of smiling faces and excited children that filled the streets and sidewalks of Old Town.
Historic Manassas Inc. is responsible for not only the July Fourth event, but for other major events that have been drawing increased attendance.
According to HMI, the Fall Jubilee in October had more than 42,000 people in attendance. The Railway Festival in June saw more vendors and attendees than in the past three years combined. The success of the Wine and Jazz Festival last month has left wineries vying for spots for next year’s event.
Among other accomplishments this past fiscal year, HMI has:
n Opened a second location at 9366 Main St. to accommodate the growing staff for an expanded work program.
n Established and filled the position of Visitor Center manager.
n Updated the corporate by-laws.
n Received another Virginia Main Street Milestone award.
n Enjoyed an increase of more than 30 percent in members joining the organization, and all of this was accomplished by the staff under a new executive director, Patty Tracy, supported by a hands-on board of directors.
Another accomplishment this year has been the approval and completion of the new Battle Street Streetscape. The original idea came from an HMI board member. Her vision of the future of the city captured the attention of Vice Mayor Andrew Harrover and became the starting point for the implementation of the “Manassas Next” initiative.
“I am very pleased to see an idea that began at an HMI Design Committee meeting several years ago actually become a reality,” said Bren Compton, a longtime member of the HMI board of directors and owner of Alyssa Bryn Market Place.
HMI is gearing up to launch a new community calendar that will create a single point of reference for events and happenings in and around Old Town Manassas. The calendar is scheduled to be launched early this fall.
HMI is also working with the city on economic and retail recruitment in filling the available office and commercial space in the city. For sale and for rent signs dot the downtown area.
“The city has positioned itself perfectly to capitalize on the next wave of economic prosperity and HMI, an award winning Main Street program, is prepared to assist the city in anyway we can,” said Creston Owen, president of the board and owner of Falcon Communications Solutions Inc.
Commissioner of the Revenue John Grzejka said he is seeing an improvement in the economic condition of Old Town.
He said revenue from the meals tax was down 11 percent in the first quarter of 2007-08 from the previous year but in the first quarter of this year it was down only 7 percent.
“It has been a definite upswing but we still have a way to go,” he said.
For more information on HMI, call Tracy at 703-361-6599. More information about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities and the farmers’ market can be found at http://www.visitmanassas.org.
Staff writer Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703-369-6707.
Among the first priories for HMI was hiring Mary Thompson as the new media and communication coordinator.
“I’ve looked for a long time for the perfect job that would include my love for history and the local community and I really think I’ve found it her at HMI,” said Thompson.
For more information on HMI, call Tracy at 703-361-6599. More information about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities and the farmers’ market can be found at http://www.visitmanassas.org.
Staff writer Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703-369-6707.