The Buchanan Room at VisArts was filled to capacity, Tuesday, Oct. 9, for a Mayor and Council town hall to discuss the future of Town Center.

“This is an opportunity for all of us,” Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton explained as she opened the meeting. “We are all stakeholders in this city; we are all stakeholders in what happens in our downtown and the Town Square and the city center. And our goal tonight is to have a conversation about, how do we be successful for everyone?”

The Mayor and Council, and city staff, are working on responses to issues raised at the forum. To be notified when these responses are complete, sign up to the town hall email list at http://eepurl.com/dLbySM.

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Rockville City Police Department officers will join community members for National Coffee with a Cop Day from 8-9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3 at Krispy Kreme in the Fallsgrove Village Center, 14919 Shady Grove Road.

Officers will be on hand for informal one-on-one chats with community members – no formal speeches, no agendas and no distractions. Learn more about Coffee with a Cop at coffeewithacop.com.

See photos and video of past Coffee with a Cop events on Rockville’s YouTube page.

Learn more about the RCPD or follow the department on Facebook.

Trick-or-treaters take to Rockville neighborhoods Wednesday, Oct. 31.

There are no set hours for trick-or-treating. The Rockville City Police Department urges drivers to be aware of extra pedestrians in neighborhoods. Homeowners should clear yards and sidewalks of obstacles, keep homes well-lit inside and out, and report any suspicious activity to police.

City police offer these additional tips:

• Kids should walk in groups and young children should be accompanied by an adult.
• Set a safe walking route and a time for children to be home.
• Costumes should be flame retardant and short enough to prevent trips and falls.
• Carry flashlights or glow sticks and affix reflective strips to costumes and bags.
• Remind children not to eat treats until they get home. Check all treats and throw out anything that is not factory-sealed.

Snow plow crews from the City of Rockville practiced in September for the second annual Snow Road-eo Challenge. Crews from Rockville, which hosts this year’s event on Tuesday, Oct. 9, are looking to avenge a narrow loss to the City of Gaithersburg in last year’s inaugural challenge. The challenge helps crews hone their skills at keeping city streets clear and safe, in preparation for snow season.

Rockville has several fun events in October to let you and your family explore your inner ghouls for Halloween! To register where there’s a course number, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/registration.

Teens, grades 6-10, will experience an evening of fright and fear at Field of Screams, in Olney, for Halloteen, 6-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12. They’ll be put to the test at four terrifying haunted attractions, including trails, a factory and a hayride. Transportation departs from and returns to Thomas Farm Community Center. Teens will have a fast pass and be accompanied by City of Rockville staff. Register with course #5993. The cost is $60 for residents, $65 for nonresidents.

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Conceptual rendering of the proposed 220 East Middle Lane project’s south façade.

Applicants for the third and final phase of Rockville Metro Plaza are seeking approval for a mixed-use building consisting of up to 240 apartment units and 8,500 square feet of retail at 220 East Middle Lane.

The project would replace about 201,000 square feet of remaining approved office space with a proposed mixed-use residential and retail building.

Plans for the area include a mix of residential units, with about a third of the units offered with two and three bedrooms. Thirty-six of the 240 units would be maintained as affordable to residents through the city’s Moderately Priced Dwelling Unit program.

Site rendering of proposed King Farm townhomes.

Project applicants are seeking to develop two parcels, at 801 King Farm Blvd. and 1503 Piccard Drive in the Irvington Centre subdivision of King Farm, into 65 residential town homes.

The project would replace unbuilt office space and ground floor retail that was previously approved as part of the King Farm development, and will require site plan approval prior to construction. The change from the originally approved office space to the current town home development was approved by the Mayor and Council through previous resolutions.

The project would transform a surface parking lot and unimproved open area at the west end of King Farm Boulevard into a new residential community, amid existing office and retail uses. Ten of the 65 units would be maintained as affordable housing through the city’s Moderately Priced Dwelling Unit program. A new tot lot would also be created at nearby Terminus Park to serve the area.