Virginia Railway Express opens parking structure at Manassas Park station

Virginia Railway Express (VRE), state and local leaders yesterday gathered to formally open a 740-space parking structure at VRE's station in the downtown Manassas Park, Virginia.

A 2017 study by VRE showed a growing need for parking at the station. Working with the city, VRE constructed the new structure to supplement an existing 600-space parking lot at the station.

The garage allocates 200 spaces for city personnel and 540 spaces for VRE riders and visitors, VRE officials said in a press release. The parking garage is on city property, which is leased to VRE for $1 per year.

It is located near Park Central, a mixed-use development surrounding Manassas Park's newly constructed city hall and library, and a residential community, and it supports the city's goal to redevelop the surrounding area into a transit-oriented economic hub.

The cost of the project was $34.6 million, according to an article from the Potomac Local News. The Interstate 66 Express Mobility Partners, the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, the I-66 Community Choice Program, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation and the city of Manassas Park contributed to the project's funding. 

VHB provided engineering; construction was managed by GFT; and construction was completed by Manhattan Construction Co., VRE officials said.