In our inbox: Transit to trails, TSI 2.0, Lakeforest Mall nostalgia

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The potential of transit-to-trails

The story about the McAfee Knob shuttle was fascinating. One way to pay for the shuttle would be to institute a parking fee at the trailhead parking lot with very clear signage indicating that the payment is purely to cover the cost of the shuttle (and additional signage pointing out the advantage to drivers of having more people using the shuttle to reduce the crush). A higher-tech addition could be a real-time electronic sign at the highway Park-and-Ride lot indicating how many spaces are open at the trailhead.

One other possibility would be having a bikeshare system with docking stations at both parking lots. Of course, simply having good bike racks at both parking lots would stimulate people to get to the trailhead by bike.

Peter Harnik, Arlington, Virginia

TSI 2.0 should be race-neutral

“TSI 2.0: Moving toward a fairer allocation of DDOT resources” (January 31, 2023) states “the race, income, and disability status statistics of nearby census tracts are considered in an unspecified manner.” This should concern all road safety advocates who want effective traffic safety programs.

There are 2 possibilities: a minority neighborhood experiences disproportionate traffic violence or it does not. If it does, then a traffic safety program that relies on objective crash data will prioritize it. If the minority neighborhood does not experience disproportionate traffic violence, then one cannot justify prioritizing it over other neighborhoods.

Historically, governments have considered race in traffic programs. Officials ignored objective data and allocated resources based on racial preferences. Had those officials been unable to consider race and income, we would not have the disparities we see today.

Now, we risk making the same mistake again. Greater Greater Washington should advocate against including equity in TSI 2.0. Better to destroy the tool that allowed racists to abandon minority neighborhoods than to repurpose the tool for noble aims. It’s only a matter of time before race is once again prioritized over traffic safety, just not in the way vision zero advocates expect.

Zach Weinstein, Silver Spring, Maryland

Nostalgia for Lakeforest Mall

Dan Malouff’s post on the demise of Lakeforest Mall inspired many notes of nostalgia:

I forgot about Natural Wonders until it was mentioned in the article. In its peak years, that mall was glittering during the holidays, decorated and sparkling. It was the place to be and ideal for picking up gifts for every person on your list. I will miss those days.

Diana Hong

I’ve many Lakeforest memories way back to when it was just opening. The ice skating rink and then it became a movie theater. Chi Chi’s and Long John Silver’s were some of the best food places. Picketing the pet store for selling dog mill puppies. Once I encountered a disgusting sight - a couple having sex under the escalator by Penneys. All of the rest of my memories are happy ones. It’s sad to say goodbye and it will live on in our memories.

Alice Thompson

I remember driving there from DC in the early 90s to go shopping in the country, LOL. It was the nicest mall around back then. I moved to Derwood years later, took my kids there for their baby photos, haircuts at Cartoon Cuts, to see Santa, and to play in the playground area on cold winter days. I was very sad to watch it decline over the years. I hope the coming redevelopment will be an improvement for Gaithersburg and the surrounding area.

Annmarie Boyd, Derwood, Maryland