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MANASSAS PARK, VA-Plans for the construction of Park Center, a mixed-use community conceived by officials of the city of Manassas, move forward. The city has selected Bethesda, MD-headquartered Clark Realty Capital LLC to head up development of the 28-acre endeavor.

Having committed to an agreement of purchase and sale, Clark will acquire the land from the city for an as yet undisclosed figure. "Partnering with Clark ensures that Park Center will be a first-class project that will make a significant positive impact for the city and those who travel through our city," Manassas Park Mayor Francis C. Jones says.

The transit-centric location that will ultimately become home to Park Center sits off Rte. 28 near City Hall, and was formerly the site of an elementary school. Clark's plan calls for as much as 100,000 sf of retail space that will include a shopping center and 414 residential units. "Park Center will be a ground-breaking project," says Jay Sotos, Clark's managing director for Park City. "We envision a mix of uses that will establish a unique identity for Park Center as the new downtown for Manassas Park." Fairfax, VA-based Alliance Bank Corp. agreed in 2001 to be one of Park Center's first tenants with the opening of a branch at the development.