In a major step towards modernizing infrastructure and enhancing urban lifestyle in Gaithersburg, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has announced a significant redevelopment project for the Lakeforest Transit Center at the site of the former Lakeforest Mall. Joined by Maryland State Delegate Julie Palakovich Carr, County Councilmembers Marilyn Balcombe, Sidney Katz, Dawn Luedtke, and Laurie-Anne Sayles, and other leaders, Elrich celebrated the initiation of an innovative partnership with WRS Inc. Real Estate Investments aimed to revitalize an aging but once-popular community hub, as reorted by the Montgomery County.
The plan envisions a transformation of the closed mall into a bustling, mixed-use hub complete with residential spaces, shopping, entertainment and public gathering areas, according to official Montgomery County statements. For four and a half decades since its inauguration in 1978, the mall stood as a central community fixture, and this new development seeks to embrace that history of gathering by reimagining future potentials. As part of the initial phase, WRS will undergo the groundwork for construction which includes, filling in a drainage pond and site grading to facilitate the project progression.
Highlighting the integral role of the transit center in the redevelopment process, Elrich stated, "Building this transit center is critical to this redevelopment process and our forthcoming BRT system. Thousands of people depend on transit in this part of the County, and this partnership ensures they will have safe, convenient access as the area grows," as stated by the Montgomery County. He further acknowledged the support from state and local leadership in obtaining funds crucial for the project.
Chris Conklin, Director of MCDOT, underscored the forthcoming benefits this project has for local transportation, emphasizing how "the new transit center will support the nearly 2,000 riders per day who rely on the current Lakeforest Transit Center, as well as create capacity to accommodate the planned Flash Bus Rapid Transit corridor along MD 355 and any future developments," as reported by the Montgomery County. The focus is on scalability, anticipating increased demands for public transport options and reduced car reliance.
The redevelopment is not just a construction project but an injection of new vitality into the area, as voiced by Kevin Rogers of WRS Inc. He emphasized, "This project will bring new life to this area, and we know how important access is to new development." With the transit center as a cornerstone, it aims to ensure the success of the broader redevelopment effort, setting the stage for a vibrant community revival, as per the Montgomery County.
With the completion of the first phase estimated to take a year, the subsequent steps will see MCDOT taking over the site from WRS to commence the actual construction of the new transit center, setting in motion a modernized vision for what was once the Montgomery County's largest mall and a beloved local gathering place.
