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Council authorizes staff to negotiate 20-year lease for new fire training and storage facility
Summary
After extensive debate about process and long-term capital priorities, the Manassas Park City Council authorized the city manager to enter a 20-year lease for a former industrial building on UCLA Avenue to house fire-department training, equipment storage and an emergency operations center; tenant improvements are estimated at $575,000 and the lease will be subject to attorney review.
The Manassas Park City Council voted June 2 to authorize the city manager to enter into a lease agreement for a former industrial building on UCLA Avenue that city staff say will provide long-term training space, equipment storage and a dedicated emergency operations center for the fire department.
Chief Oliver told the council the department "outgrew our current fire station which was built in 2004" and that the UCLA Avenue building offers office, training and large-bay storage space that would let the department house reserve apparatus indoors and run repeated training scenarios without disrupting neighbors. He and other presenters said tenant improvements are estimated at $575,000 and the owner is offering an initial rent of about $1.095 per square foot, below market, with staff reporting the property’s market rate is roughly $1.55 per square foot.
Why it mattered: Fire and public-safety presenters argued the space would allow regular, rehearsed training, keep reserve apparatus ready and support the city’s CTE and EMT cohort programs by providing a nearby, permanent training location. Staff said a dedicated facility could also improve the city’s ISO (insurance) rating over time, which affects commercial and residential insurance costs.
Council reaction reflected competing concerns. Some members urged prompt action, saying the property is a rare opportunity and that the city has the fund balance to absorb improvements. Others pressed for more process, asking for time to "rack and stack" this commitment against other capital priorities before entering a 20-year lease. Several council members said they supported the concept but criticized the short notice for such a long-term financial commitment.
City Manager Carl Cole said tenant improvements were not included in FY27 until council approval but that the administration could absorb the up-front cost from FY26 unassigned fund balance and handle ongoing lease payments within expected revenues. Council also discussed options in the lease negotiations such as a purchase option at market value toward the end of the term; staff said such options could be included in contract negotiations.
The motion authorized the city manager to negotiate and enter the lease, subject to final city-attorney review. The transcript records the motion as passed; the meeting employed a combination of roll-call and voice procedures and the transcript does not include a formal, itemized roll-call tally by name.
Next steps: Staff will finalize lease terms with the owner, complete city-attorney review and return any final contract to council as required by policy or if requested by members.
