mp-1-21, mp-2-21

May 11, 2021

To the City of Gaithersburg,

In response to the proposed redevelopment of Lakeforest Mall, we at Asbury would like to strongly

advocate for the continued presence of the major bus terminal in close proximity to Asbury’s

entrance.

We provide as evidence the following survey which was sent to Asbury’s residents and staff for

feedback.

Of 299 responses received:

• 44% reported having used the bus stop in their day to day lives

• 34% reported that moving the bus stop would negatively affect their commutes, and 23% were

unsure.

• 72 individuals submitted comments regarding the proposed change of the bus stop location. The

majority of comments focused on concern about Asbury associates getting to and from work.

Others were focused on the role public transportation may play in senior’s futures as they give

up driving.

Having a significant bus stop close to such a large residential community and employer is important.

Many of our AMV staff rely on public transportation to serve seniors at diverse hours of the day and

night. Residents rely on public transportation for basic services and amenities when they can no longer

drive.

Please consider our proposal to maintain the bus transit station in its present location during

redevelopment. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Michele R. Potter Executive Director

Joint Hearing - MCC & PC MP-1-21, MP-2-21

55

Summary of Survey Responses:

What is your relationship to AMV?

2. Have you ever used public transportation beginning or ending at the Lakeforest

Transit Center/bus stop?

3. Would moving the bus stop to another location around the mall - possibly farther

away, possibly "closer to 355" - affect your ability to use public transportation to get to

AMV?

4. Do you have any thoughts to share with us regarding a possible move of the bus

stop?

2. Have you ever used public

transportation beginning or ending at the

Lakeforest Transit Center/bus stop?

Lakeforest Transit Center is located

along the south side of Lost Knife

Road at Odendhal Avenue adjacent to

Lakeforest Mall. It provides access to

7 Ride On and 2 MetroBus Routes

with nearly 4,000 daily boardings. The

structure has a canopy and two bus

bays.

The City of Gaithersburg has released

a redevelopment plan for Lakeforest

Mall, which includes a possible option

of moving the Lakeforest bus stop

"closer to MD 355." While we don't yet

know exactly what this would look like,

AMV is surveying residents and

associates to determine how many of

you use this bus stop for

transportation to and from Asbury, and

whether this change would affect you.

We will relay the survey answers to

the project leaders. Thank you for

taking the time to answer these short

questions.

What is your relationship to AMV?

[email protected] 4/27/2021 13:10 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, Yes I don't know

[email protected] 4/27/2021 13:14 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, Yes No

[email protected] 4/27/2021 13:20 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, No No I drive right now, but may want to use

public transportation in the future. I think

many AMV Associates use public

transportation. For those reason, I would

like to see the Transit Center be as close to

AMV as possible.

Anonymous 4/27/2021 13:32 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, No No

[email protected] 4/27/2021 13:33 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, No I don't know

[email protected] 4/27/2021 13:40 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, No No

[email protected] 4/27/2021 10:02 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, No Yes

4. Do you have any thoughts to share with

us regarding a possible move of the bus

stop? We will collect relevant comments

and relay them to the City of Gaithersburg.

You may expand the text box by clicking

and dragging the bottom right corner of

the box. Thank you.

ID Date Source Score Rating 3. Would moving the bus stop to another

location around the mall - possibly farther

away, possibly "closer to 355" - affect your

ability to use public transportation to get

to AMV?


Anonymous 4/27/2021 10:03 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, No I don't know No


[email protected] 4/27/2021 10:08 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, No No

Anonymous 4/27/2021 10:10 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident,2. Associate, Yes Yes

[email protected] 4/27/2021 10:12 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, No I don't know It is not uncommon to see associates

walking from the bus stop to the main gate.

I am concerned for them.




[email protected] 4/27/2021 10:16 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, Yes I don't know Would there be parking?

[email protected] 4/27/2021 10:16 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, Yes Yes I think the Transit Center should stay where

it is. A lot of associates use it to get to

Asbury for their work. It is convenient in

that it is right across from the gate. I often

use the 55 bus to get to the Shady Grove

Metro station. It would be a difficult walk

to get out to route 355.


[email protected] 4/27/2021 10:22 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, No Yes At present I have a private car I use for

transportation. In the future when I stop

driving, Iâ€™m not sure whether I would

use the bus.


[email protected] 4/27/2021 10:23 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, Yes No I used it exactly one time. Also, please put

great weight on the Associates' use of the

bus stop. They already have quite a walk

going up the hill to work.


Anonymous 4/27/2021 10:28 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, Yes No


[email protected] 4/27/2021 10:32 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, No No no

[email protected] 4/27/2021 10:32 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, No I don't know Since this is such a large residential

community with I assume many staff

dependent on public transport, what

accommodation would be made for the

needs of our staff and those residents

dependent on public transport?

Anonymous 4/27/2021 10:35 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, Yes No None


[email protected] 4/27/2021 10:37 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, Yes Yes




[email protected] 4/27/2021 10:46 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, Yes No



[email protected] 4/27/2021 10:56 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, Yes Yes The location of the current bus stop was

one of the most important reasons for my

moving to Asbury.

Anonymous 4/27/2021 10:57 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, Yes Yes


Anonymous 4/27/2021 23:02 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, Yes Yes No




[email protected] 4/27/2021 11:08 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, No No No






Anonymous 4/27/2021 11:22 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, Yes Yes If they move close to 355 will be to far for

me that work night shift




[email protected] 4/27/2021 11:27 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, Yes No This is not an isolated stop NEED TO

INCORPORATE INCOUNTY PUBLIC

TRANSPORTATION NETWORK








[email protected] 4/27/2021 11:47 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, No No I have used the bus stop on Russell Ave.

opposite the Diamond Building .

[email protected] 4/27/2021 11:51 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, No I don't know I have not used the public transportation

yet , but I know residents who have and I

may need to use it when I give up driving

(as my daughter has suggested). I

remember when at a meeting about a year

ago concerning Lake Forest Mall when the

idea of shifting the bus stop was first

mentioned. I though it was a very bad idea

and that Asbury should resist with all its

strength. While many of us may find access

to other modes of transportation (Asbury

services. taxis, uber. friends, etc.; the

people who come from off-campus to serve

our needs often rely on public

transportation. I remember very well when

I moved into Asbury with my wife who had

Alzheimer's disease and was requiring care

around the clock (3 shifts of care), how

important the proximity of the bus stop

was , especially in cold and inclement

weather. The bus stop is an important asset

for residents and we should do all possible

to retain it. Very sincerely, and respectfully,

Gerald Hanson, Diamond 906. X 5203.


[email protected] 4/27/2021 11:53 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, No No I am concerned about the inconvenience

this will cause for associates and Cider Mill

residents who use public transportation.

[email protected] 4/27/2021 11:56 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, No No Dont really like idea of bus stop closer to

the villas. there is a bus stop right outside

villa gate, seems sufficient .


Anonymous 4/27/2021 11:57 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, No I don't know













[email protected] 4/27/2021 12:37 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, Yes Yes please leave it where it is.

[email protected] 4/27/2021 12:39 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, No No The transportation center has had some

crime around it, & I would prefer it not be

closer to AMV for that reason.

[email protected] 4/27/2021 12:40 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, No No We would presume that residents and

associates who have used or intend to use

Public Transportation, will benefit and

likely increase in numbers, by having a new

bus stop closer to Asbury. Viceversa, if the

bus stop is moved further, it is likely that

while associates may be able to walk longer

distances, Asbury's residents will be lesser

capable of doing so.














[email protected] 4/27/2021 15:43 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, No No It should NOT be located near any

residences, apartments or otherwise, due

to traffic and noise. I use the bus stop by

McDonald's, as it is closer to my building.

Anonymous 4/27/2021 15:46 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, No No I personally would like to see it gone


Anonymous 4/27/2021 16:11 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, Yes Yes No



[email protected] 4/27/2021 16:46 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, No No I think it should be moved. It was

designated as the most dangerous bus stop

in Montgomery county.

Anonymous 4/27/2021 16:46 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, No I don't know I donâ€™t ride the buses

[email protected] 4/27/2021 16:52 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, No No questions depend upon where the new bus

stops would be, traffic wise and pedestrian

safety.




[email protected] 4/27/2021 17:14 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, Yes Yes By moving the bus stop I would not be a ble

to use the transption








[email protected] 4/27/2021 7:42 456638 0 (none) 2. Associate, No No No

Anonymous 4/27/2021 8:02 456633 0 (none) 2. Associate, No Yes No

[email protected] 4/27/2021 20:10 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, Yes Yes Please keep the 57 bus on its current route

so I can get to Shady Grove metro . Very

important. 57 runs to/from Lakeforest

Transit Center along Russell Ave, in front of

Asbury. I need to have this bus available.

Thx. Susie Jones.


[email protected] 4/27/2021 20:22 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, No No Please move the bus stop...

[email protected] 4/27/2021 8:25 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, Yes Yes

[email protected] 4/27/2021 8:25 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, No I don't know








[email protected] 4/27/2021 8:33 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, No I don't know I was regularly using the bus stop across

the street from the Russell Avenue gate,

prior to the pandemic. Route 57 takes

about 1/2 hour to get to Metro, which is

frustrating. However, if the Center was

moved to another location, and bus route

57 is still going to go by the Russell Avenue

gate, it doesn't matter where the Center is

located. What would be great would be to

be able to get to Metro faster.





[email protected] 4/27/2021 8:38 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, No No There is always the issues of staff safety

with moving the transit station.





[email protected] 4/27/2021 8:44 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, Yes I don't know I can currently walk to the bus stop. If it's

moved farther from AMV, my use of public

transportation would be more challenging.

The stop's location relating to AMV is more

important to me than that to 355.

[email protected] 4/27/2021 8:45 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, Yes Yes Some caregivers throughout Asbury use

public transportation. I personally know of

two. Neither drive.






[email protected] 4/27/2021 8:52 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, No No For the sake of security I prefer it move

further away.

[email protected] 4/27/2021 8:52 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, Yes No So many people have their whole life

adapted to the Bus station location, it will

be so difficult for people who work and the

elderly that use the buses for regular

transportation option, do not move the bus

stop please.




[email protected] 4/27/2021 8:52 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, No I don't know If they move the terminal they have a bus

stop in itâ€™s place.








[email protected] 4/27/2021 8:56 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, No No The present location must be better gor the

associates that work here than one farther

away, especially when there is snow and

ice on the ground.



Anonymous 4/27/2021 8:57 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, Yes Yes I only have to take one bus to and from

work. With moving the bus stop I may have

to take more than one bus which may

affect my travel times.





Anonymous 4/27/2021 9:04 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, Yes Yes Up to me, I think itâ€™s better to stay

where it is.








Anonymous 4/27/2021 9:11 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, No Yes











[email protected] 4/27/2021 9:33 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, No No I am very concerned about the AMV

Associates using public transport and for

the thousands of Cider MIll neighbors.






[email protected] 4/27/2021 9:42 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, No Yes Moving the transit ctr would also affect the

57 Russell Ave bus route that several

people take to Metro.





[email protected] 4/27/2021 9:46 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, Yes I don't know Depends on how many and what streets to

cross.



[email protected] 4/27/2021 9:50 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, Yes I don't know Until 2020, I would drive over from AMV

and park at the bus terminal to go to the

Metro. If the terminal is moved closer to

355, it would still have parking accessible,

hopefully. Or perhaps AMV Transportation

could take residents to/from the terminal.







[email protected] 4/27/2021 9:55 456709 0 (none) 3. Other, Yes Yes Make it safely walkable to AMV


[email protected] 4/27/2021 9:58 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, No Yes Frequently, I employ Aides to assist me at

my AMV Diamond apartment who use the

Bus to get to work with me, and it would be

a HUGE, NEGATIVE problem, challenge if

the Bus route was changed. PLEASE keep

SAME route! THANK YOU for your kind

consideration!


Anonymous 4/28/2021 13:15 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, Yes I don't know

Anonymous 4/28/2021 13:28 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, Yes Yes Sometimes people have problems that,

they might few days or a week to get it fix.

During this period, they will need a cheaper

means to take them to work and the

cheapest way is the bus. I have done this

before.

[email protected] 4/28/2021 13:29 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, No I don't know I am concerned about AMV employees who

use this station.












Anonymous 4/28/2021 14:26 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, Yes Yes Moving it will greatly affect the community

and by extension other transistors

negatively

Anonymous 4/28/2021 14:26 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, Yes Yes Moving it will greatly affect the community

and by extension other transistors

negatively




Anonymous 4/28/2021 15:44 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, No No Non

Anonymous 4/28/2021 15:45 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, No No None














[email protected] 4/28/2021 7:20 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, Yes Yes The ability to use the current bus stops on

Russell has been crucial to our enjoyment

of the area and being able to real our cars

behind.

Anonymous 4/28/2021 7:21 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, No No I donâ€™t use public Transportation

[email protected] 4/28/2021 7:29 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, No I don't know No longer use public transportation

[email protected] 4/28/2021 7:39 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, No Yes I donâ€™t use the bus but it seems like an

inconvenient move for those who do!


Anonymous 4/28/2021 8:35 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, Yes Yes Please advocate for us for the means of

transport to remain where it is. Please think

about winter.




[email protected] 4/28/2021 9:02 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, Yes I don't know





Anonymous 4/29/2021 10:54 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, Yes Yes Thinkyou it will afect every one not only for

us but the other who going in to the

shopping store verything is close by




Anonymous 4/29/2021 15:02 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, No No I donâ€™t use the bus but I know a lot of

the employee do, I hope that wherever

they move it to there will be another bus

that would take them to Asbury

[email protected] 4/29/2021 15:14 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, No No Would like to see it moved!




[email protected] 4/29/2021 16:41 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, Yes No I prefer it to stay where it is




Anonymous 4/29/2021 17:47 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, Yes Yes By removing the bus stop will cause me a

lot of stress because I will not be reporting

early or on time for work.



Anonymous 4/29/2021 7:11 456709 0 (none) 2. Associate, Yes Yes Lake forest is the best place




[email protected] 4/29/2021 9:09 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, No Yes The move may make it more difficult for

associates who ride the bus to get to and

from work.




[email protected] 4/30/2021 22:09 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, Yes I don't know I would prefer the Lakeforest Transit Center

not be moved but the most important thing

is that the route of the 57 bus not be

changed and that it continue to run on

Russell Ave. and stop at Asbury. This is the

only reasonably priced way for residents

and associates and friends to get to and

from Shady Grove metro station and some

other destinations if they don't own a car.

Thank you.







[email protected] 5/1/2021 16:20 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, Yes Yes My daughter, who lives in Rockville, always

uses the bus round-trip to visit me.

Currently I drive my car, but eventually I

too will rely on convenient bus

transportation.




[email protected] 5/3/2021 6:15 456709 0 (none) 1. Resident, Yes Yes Do not have a car or family in the area so

heavily rely on this bus stop. Bus is cheaper

than other means of transportation. Came

from Washington, D.C. and chose AMV (one

of the factors) because there WAS a bus

stop SO CLOSE by and can get to it quickly.

This would impact me. Thank you, Resident

of AMV




From: Teeache GiveepTo: LakeforestMPSubject: Lakeforest Site PlansDate: Thursday, May 13, 2021 9:12:50 AM

This email is from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when opening attachments, clicking links, orresponding.

Good morning Council,

Our community needs a health & wellness center like the YMCA back. Ever since the oldYMCA closed, the community and members have witnessed a degradation in the area. Theyouth need a place that's safe and fun to be, the grown ups need a place to stay fit withoutgoing to Rockville, the elderly need a place to stay active and social. A YMCA or LifetimeFitness, with new restaurants would be best for the community. Currently, there is nowhere toget really good food in Gaithersburg. We have to go to Rockville 355, or Germantown to getany main chain restaurant food. Nobody is spending money in Gaithersburg because we haveno attractions.

Thank you,

T.Strawberry Knolls Neighnorhood

Joint Hearing - MCC & PC MP-1-21, MP-2-21

56

mp-1-21, mp-2-21

Documents