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A cultural coming out in Manassas
Virginia Business
January 2005
Prince
William County continues its steady march towards a
more sophisticated image. Officials for this once-rural
area recently announced a deal to build a four-story,
1,100-seat concert hall on George Mason University’s
campus in Manassas.
The
$56 million cultural center is being modeled after the
famous La Scala Opera House in Milan. When completed
in 2009, the hall will host the Prince William Symphony
Orchestra, the Manassas Dance Company and the Prince
William Youth Orchestra along with national and international
performers. The county, the city of Manassas, George
Mason University and private contributors have agreed
to share construction and design costs.
Brian Marcus, associate dean for development at George
Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts,
estimates that the facility will have a direct economic
impact of $6.9 million on the area. It’s expected
that 170,000 people will attend performances in the
first year, with 10 percent of those coming from out
of state. “It will be a real shot in the arm for
some local businesses, like restaurants and hotels,”
Marcus says.
Prince William County’s recent economic gains
have made headlines. Eli Lilly and Co. chose the area
for a new drug manufacturing complex, and the Department
of Labor reported that the county’s job growth
was the highest in the country.
Susan Jacobs, chairman of the Prince William County
Greater Manassas Chamber of Commerce, notes that building
the performance hall will help put the final touches
on the county’s new reputation. “I think
this will raise our profile considerably and finally
get it in people’s minds that this area is becoming
a true business and cultural center,” she says.
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