Initiative targets city's future

Manassas Next might be the next step for Manassas, if city councilman Andrew Harrover has his way.

Harrover officially unveiled his citywide initiative at Tuesday's council meeting. The initiative, which was well received by both council and those who attended the meeting, involves the future of Manassas and how it can stay relevant economically, socially and

educationally against much larger competition in the Northern Virginia area.

Harrover said the city needs a holistic approach in its strategic planning, a business model that would allow the city to regain its once-outstanding image.

On his Web site Manassasnext.com, Harrover states, "Manassas is now, more than ever, fighting for residents. Many of our long-time residents (and not just the rich ones) have left for Gainesville and we simply cannot tolerate any more flight to the west. We must rededicate ourselves towards operating a world-class City."

Harrover launched his Web site last fall, and on it is a video that includes interviews with residents and his own thoughts on everything from improving schools and government efficiency to the city's reputation on issues like illegal

immigration.

"The only thing people are talking about is immigration and I am kind of tired of talking about it," Harrover said on his Web site. "We got the [9500 Liberty Street] sign; we have been on the national news. There is a lot more to Manassas than just this one problem. We are in an urban area, we have lots of things going on."

There are five major aspects to Manassas Next: vision, schools, housing, economic development and responsive government. It involves what Harrover called short-term, mid-term and long-term projects and putting tax dollars to those ideas as soon as possible.

That means adding whatever project is doable this year into the 2009 fiscal budget, which is scheduled to be approved in late April.

Initially, Harrover sees the start of this project costing an additional penny and a half to the tax rate.

One of the major short-term projects is to be able to start a science and technology program in the school system a few years from now, an idea that both Manassas Superintendent Gail E. Pope and school board member Scott M. Albrecht are excited about.

"Our target would be to have the finest school system in the state of Virginia," said Mark Wolfe, Manassas Ballet executive director, who is running uncontested for one of three open council slots in the May election.

Another project is the Battle Street Streetscape, which involves widening the sidewalks and other cosmetic improvements. Harrover is estimating that this project would be in the $400,000 to $500,000 range.

The short-term projects would also include reinstating $25,000 for the community development department, which is slated to be removed in the city manager's budget. The Manassas Housing Trust Fund would also be used as a mechanism in assisting city employees in their search for affordable housing in the city.

Despite a potential recession and a poor housing market, Harrover said he believes the council needs to act immediately in order to be prepared when the economy turns.

He listed the Virginia Railway Express/city-owned parking deck, scheduled for completion this July, as the last of the projects that helped define previous councils' vision for the city, which also included the renovation of the old Candy Factory for the Center for the Arts and the construction of Loy E. Harris Pavilion.

Both of those projects were completed in the last 10 years. Now it's time to find new projects, said Harrover.

"What's the next big thing?" asked Harrover during the meeting. "I don't know and I don't assume that we [as a council] know."

Staff writer Kipp Hanley can be reached at

703-369-5738.