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Q: Why does the City want to buy the East End Mobile Home Park?

A: The City of Manassas is buying the property to stop the continuing problems caused by the broken water and sewer system, but does not have a planned use for the property. The City has been working with the owner of East End Mobile Home Park since 2009 to have the owner correct water and sewer issues within the park. This has not happened. The system needs to be replaced and the owner cannot repair the system due to a lack of funds. By offering to purchase the property, The City is allowing residents time to find other accommodations. This will allow the City to shut down the failing water and sewer system.

Q: Alternatives the City Considered

A: The City has given the owner of EEMHP time to seek a loan for repairs or to find a buyer who would make repairs to the park. However, the income of the park would not be enough to repay a loan to make repairs and no buyer has come forward to buy and repair the park. Because of the poor condition of the water/sewer system and the owner's inability to pay for a new system, the City of Manassas was faced with two options it considered realistic. 1. Shut down the utility systems in EEMHP immediately, or 2. Work with the property owner to close the park. The City wished to give residents the time to make other living arrangements and so chose to work with the property owner to close the park.

Q: Why won't the City give more time for residents to relocate?

A: The City of Manassas has not stipulated that EEMHP must be closed in February, 2017. The purchase agreement says the EEMHP property should be clear within 2 years, which would be April 2018. The City is concerned for the welfare of residents and for children who must move during the school year. The City has no contractual right or authority to mandate a given date for the termination of leases. The property is privately owned and the tenants lease lots from the owner. It is within the owner's right to end the leases and close the mobile home park.

Q: Why doesn't the City fix the EEMHP System?

A: The East End Mobile Home Park water/sewer system is a private utility system. It is not owned by the citizens of Manassas. To put this in perspective - it would be like asking the water company to come into your house to replace all of your plumbing. The City does not use its customer's utility payments to make repairs on private property.

Q: When was the sewer issue first discovered?

A: The City first discovered and notified the owner of the problems in 2009. At that time, the City was concerned about stormwater flowing into the sanitary sewer system. The City's first documentation of sewage spills was in January 2016.

Q: Has the City offered to help residents?

A: Yes, the City's Department of Social Services notified residents on Aug. 30, 2016 that they may be eligible for up to $2,300 of goodwill assistance for help with moving expenses. A meeting was held on Sept. 8, 2016 that residents attended to learn about this assistance.

Q: How does a resident apply for relocation assistance?

A: The City of Manassas has offered up to $2,300 per household to assist with relocation. This is money the City Council has agreed to set aside to aid the families of EEMHP. Visit the Social Service Department at 9324 West Street, Manassas, VA 20110 or call 703-361-8277.

Q: How does the City's Utility System Operate?

A: The City's utility system is run by a department of City Government. The Utility Department pays all its expenses through utility billing. The EEMHP is a private water/sewer system. The City provides water to a master meter at the mobile home park entryway and the owner is responsible for providing water to each home. The sewer system from each home goes through the privately owned system to the public system, as is the case with all homeowners.

Q: Why is the City paying $1.83 million?

A: $1.83 million is the assessed value of the property.