The Gaithersburg Mayor and City Council approved on Thursday evening the plan for the redevelopment of the site that was the longtime home of Lakeforest Mall. Jud Ashman wrote on Friday that “Last night was a pretty historic one for the City of Gaithersburg. We voted to approve a redevelopment plan for the Lakeforest property.”
The Mayor and Council voted 5-0, approving the plan to redevelop the existing Lakeforest Mall property with 1,600 residential units, 750,000 square feet of employment uses, 250,000 square feet of large format retail, and 220,000 square feet of commercial uses. Gaithersburg City Councilmember Neil Harris wrote the following on the plan’s approval, noting that demolition is now scheduled for 2025:
“Yesterday evening, we of the Gaithersburg City Council approved the plan for the redevelopment of the Lakeforest site, 102 acres in the heart of Gaithersburg that was formerly an enclosed shopping mall. This is a multi-billion-dollar investment in our city that will provide housing, jobs, shopping and dining opportunities. How we got here:
As with many shopping malls, Lakeforest had its prime in the 80s and 90s, but in recent years went into decline. WRS, a developer from South Carolina, acquired the central portion of the mall first, and approached the city to discuss the possibilities. They went forward and acquired the four anchor department store sites. Great news!
Then the developers brought us a plan. It was focused on retail, with collection of big box stores, and a sea of asphalt parking. From the city’s point of view, it was exactly the opposite of the direction we wanted to go. Bad news!
We decided to put the project into moratorium for a year, and had our staff develop a new master plan for the site. The process included dozens of meetings and listening sessions with thousands of members of our community, including residents, nonprofits, business leaders, and WRS. After a year, the master plan was complete. Good news!
Next, the site had to be rezoned from all retail to mixed use. That process culminated in a council meeting, attended by a standing room only crowd who almost unanimously supported the rezoning. There was much interest in providing a recreation center for neighboring youth, as well as emphasis on the need for more affordable housing.
After one of the longest council meetings in living memory, the rezoning was approved, and the plan moved forward. More great news!
The next step was the sketch plan, which outlined the features of the site. After many meetings between staff and the developer, the plan came to the planning commission and City Council and was approved.
Last night’s meeting was the last step for City Council on the plan itself. The schematic development plan was approved, and demolition of the mall is now scheduled for 2025. The city is working on an agreement with the developer to codify zoning in return for enhanced public benefits. Wonderful news, indeed!
Going forward, WRS will present site plans for each step in the development, which will be reviewed by staff and the planning commission. Development of the site will take place over the next decades and provide up to 1600 housing units plus job sites, restaurants, and some shopping.
We see this project as a huge win for the city, and it will lead to a revitalization not only of that site but throughout the northern and eastern parts of our city including Olde Towne. I’m proud to have been part of this process from the beginning and look forward to more great news as this moves ahead.”
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