Lakeforest Mall Public Comments

By Gburger on February 20, 2023

Lakeforest Mall Zig Zag Staircase and a few Businesses that Remain Open

Lakeforest Mall redevelopment public comments have been flowing in.

Some of the local environmental groups have been activated. A big focus from their comments is on "daylighting" a stream that currently runs through the property in a pipe.

Walker’s Run currently flows through a pipe under Odenthal Road and the mall parking lot before reaching the ponds. The plan calls for the pipe to be dug up. the pipe moved, and the stream redirected into the relocated pipe underground."

-- M. Smith

Many comments also touched on saving trees currently located on the property.

Retain and incorporate the 1.7-acre forest grove at the intersection of Montgomery Village Avenue and Lost Knife Road, and the 0.50-acre pond #3 on Russell Avenue in the proposed redevelopment.

-- K. Bond

One person was worried about the Montgomery County Fair.

With the sale of Lakeforest Mall, is there not going to be parking anymore and school bus staging to form a shuttle during the Montgomery County Fair?

-- H. Clayton

Maybe leaving Lakeforest Mall a giant parking lot is better than redevelopment - for the agricultural fair that happens once a year.

All of the comments are available on the city's website.

Look over the plan yourself here, and share your thoughts about this critical project.

Email the Planning Commission at planning@gaithersburgmd.gov, or call them at (301)258-6330. Contact information for the city councilors and mayor can be found on the city's website.

Previous Lakeforest Mall Redevelopment Reporting