Data

General Issues
Arts, Culture, & Recreation
Location
Virginia
United States
Scope of Influence
City/Town
Links
http://www.yourmanassas.com/
Ongoing
Yes
Facilitators
No
Face-to-Face, Online, or Both
Online
Decision Methods
Not Applicable
Communication of Insights & Outcomes
New Media

CASE

'Your Manassas Community Resources App': Issue Reporting & Citizen Information

October 26, 2018 Jaskiran Gakhal, Participedia Team
October 25, 2018 Scott Fletcher Bowlsby
October 25, 2018 Jaskiran Gakhal, Participedia Team
February 2, 2016 kabussey
April 24, 2015 kabussey
General Issues
Arts, Culture, & Recreation
Location
Virginia
United States
Scope of Influence
City/Town
Links
http://www.yourmanassas.com/
Ongoing
Yes
Facilitators
No
Face-to-Face, Online, or Both
Online
Decision Methods
Not Applicable
Communication of Insights & Outcomes
New Media

The "Your Manassas Community Resource App” combines features of a standard "city hall" smartphone application with an integrated activities and events platform. This innovation allows for reporting issues to the city, and also better informs citizens about citywide events.

Problems and Purpose

The "Your Manassas" Community Resource Application was born from a desire to improve citizen connectivity to city hall and to improve the dissemination of activities and events to citizens [1]. Not only that, but it was also intended to add an economic development aspect to the app.

The “report a concern” feature is by no means a new concept in civic engagement; however, all current “city hall” apps overemphasize this aspect of smartphone technology. City directories and news feeds combined with the ability to report a concern results in an application that seems too utilitarian and ultimately less interesting to the citizenry. 

Initial feedback to the launch has been invaluable. Community stakeholders pointed out design and usage issues which were quickly modified. As of April 2015, there have been over 500 downloads of the app and there has been no negative feedback.

Background History and Context 

Like many modern localities, the City of Manassas spends considerable resources on community enhancements through both public and private partnerships. Endowments to historic associations, community arts facilities, and outdoor recreation enterprises have replaced a classic, in-house “Parks and Recreation” department. This has led to a large variety of “goings on” throughout the city, but none of which are under direct city control. The result has been a fragmented recreation schedule that is organized piecemeal throughout the city. To add insult to injury, the city government gets little to no credit for supporting these efforts. The Your Manassas app connects to a primary events calendar and ultimately brands these events as city designated, resolving this issue. The city may now also utilize push notifications to update citizens on exciting events taking place in the city [1].

In addition to the aforementioned features, local shopping and dining features have also been integrated. Citizens, and guests, may now look up local restaurants and shops to make the community experience even better, while improving the economic fortunes of all [2].

Organizing, Supporting, and Funding Entities 

The Your Manassas app was primarily designed by Councilman Ian Lovejoy, with input and assistance from various government departments and community stakeholders. It was designed using over-the-counter software and was organized independently by the councilman’s office at no taxpayer expense [1]. The app was launched using a series of public meetings (Town Halls, business association meetings, etc.) and press releases drawing attention to its benefits.

Participant Recruitment and Selection

Anyone with a smartphone can download the app. 

Methods and Tools Used

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Deliberation, Decisions, and Public Interaction

No other locality in the state of Virginia utilizes a “city hall” app to improve citizen connectivity [2]. No “city hall” app in the nation combines this functionality with an events notification and a local shopping/dining platform. The appeal of the app has now grown from just a citizen complaint app to a usable economic development and life enrichment tool for visitors to the city as well. The program has received nothing but positive feedback from all community stakeholders and users alike. With over 500 downloads during the initial release, expectations have been exceeded.

Influence, Outcomes, and Effects

One of the primary issues faced in Manassas is a public sense that not enough is being done in regards to events and activities as well as a general desire for economic growth. The Your Manassas app stands to truly move the needle on citizen engagement and connectivity.

The technology behind the Your Manassas app is available and easily transferable. There are no proprietary aspects to its development. Ultimately it was designed by amateurs using over the counter technology, so in theory anyone should be able to replicate it.

Analysis and Lessons Learned

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See Also

Social Media 

References

[1] Prince William Living (2014). "Manassas City Councilman Debuts New iPhone App for City." Retrieved from https://princewilliamliving.com/2014/07/manassas-city-councilman-debuts-iphone-app-city/

[2] Arcadia Run (2014). "New iPhone App Just for Manassas!" Manassas Patch. Retrieved from https://patch.com/virginia/manassas/new-iphone-app-just-manassas

External Links 

Official Website: http://www.yourmanassas.com/

Notes

This entry is an adapted version of a document prepared by Ian Lovejoy. 

Lead Image: Manassas Community Resources App/Patch https://goo.gl/VEukBf