The 900-acre field west of Manassas stands empty save for a few buildings. George Ma-son University classrooms, a biological research center and a huge swimming pool and gym dominate the sparse landscape.
“They certainly primed the pump,” said John Weber, a broker representing the four private landowners of the park, referring to the unprecedented effort by Prince William County officials to rescue the land from financial trouble and turn it into an engine for business.
Now those owners are expecting prosperity to flow into the park, called Innovation at Prince William, after three years of cleaning up a financial mess and more than a decade’s worth of plans.
County officials say careful planning and its own 500-acre stake in the project have positioned the park to take off. But some real estate officials complain that the county has undercut them by selling property at below-market prices.
The debate revolves around one of the most vexing development issues confronting outer suburban counties. Bedroom communities like Prince William are struggling to attract offices and industries and reap high property taxes at a time when employers increasingly want to plant roots closer to town.
The relative lack of offices and industry costs counties, not only in tax revenue, but also leaves communities without an identity, said Jay Fissette, a member of the Arlington County Board of Supervisors, who leads a Council of Governments committee on development.
“You want a better balance of residential and office and retail. That’s what gives it a sense of place,” he said.
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