Led by a dedicated team of city officials, including Mayor Jeanette Rishell, City Council member Laura Hampton, interim City Manager Keith Nguyen, and Melissa Williams, Event Coordinator, Manassas Park is not only addressing its past fiscal challenges but also setting the stage for a prosperous future. What makes this city unique is its infrastructure developments or plans for smart growth and how its leaders and citizens have come together to create a community that feels like home, regardless of its growth. COMEBACK STORY Manassas Park’s journey hasn’t always been easy. The city once faced a severe financial crisis that left it with a general obligation debt of $160 million and a negative fund balance, forcing it to take out revenue anticipation loans to cover payroll. Mayor Rishell recalls,“The city was in intensive care, fiscally distressed. It wasn’t easy, but we clawed our way back through careful financial decisions and a spirit of cooperation.” Hampton echoes this sentiment, describing the city’s resilience: “We like to call ourselves the ‘little city that could.’ From the very beginning, our city has had a spirit of innovation. The groundwork laid by those who came before us has enabled us to become what we are today—a thriving community built on more than 50 years of forward-thinking leadership.” That leadership has been instrumental in transforming Manassas Park from a struggling municipality into a fiscally responsible and forwardlooking city. Through teamwork and discipline, city leaders made hard decisions that ultimately allowed Manassas Park to regain financial stability while also preparing for future growth. “We’re problem solvers,” Hampton continues. “We do it as a team, and everyone works together.” BIG CITY AMENITIES Nguyen emphasizes that Manassas Park maintains a strong sense of community where personal relationships between residents and city staff are common. In this tight-knit environment, the fire department is aware of residents with serious health concerns, and police officers can directly approach the city manager to discuss issues. Unlike larger 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 10 MANASSAS PARK, VA
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