Planning and preparation to welcome back visitors to Rockville City Hall and some other facilities are still underway, so no definitive date for reopening can be established.
When city facilities do reopen, health and safety will be the city’s first and foremost concern, and will include additional cleaning and physical distancing. City employees who provide in-person service to customers will be present and those able to work from home will continue to do so.
The city will continue to offer many virtual services, and recommends investigating available virtual resources and only making in-person visits when absolutely necessary. In-person visits will be conducted by appointment as much as possible.
The Mayor and Council, and boards and commissions, will continue to meet via teleconference during this period.
Information about reopening will be available on the city’s website, social media and Rockville channel 11.
Limited Swim and Fitness Center Service Available
Playgrounds and Courts Open; In-Person Camps Return
The Rockville Swim and Fitness Center has reopened to members and city residents only, with reservations available for limited services and activities, including lap swimming at its indoor and outdoor pools, and for the fitness room. Visit www.rockvillemd.gov/swimcenter for full details.
Rockville’s basketball, tennis and pickleball courts, the dog park at King Farm, and playgrounds, are open. Bathrooms at outdoor facilities will remain closed except for city-sponsored programs. Fitness stations, volleyball courts and athletic fields that are not locked can be used by the public.
Registration is now open for Park Adventures, Rockville’s in-person camps outdoors. See the article on page 4 for more details.
The City of Rockville Expands Options for Outdoor Dining
Rockville restaurants can now take advantage of an expedited permitting process that allows local eateries to temporarily create or expand outdoor spaces for dining on private property and within the city’s rights of way. This process was intended to assist local businesses as Montgomery County began recovery from the COVID-19 emergency.
Gibbs Street has been closed between East Middle Lane and Beall Avenue, as has East Montgomery Avenue, between Maryland Avenue and Helen Heneghan Way, for expanded outdoor dining areas.
East Montgomery Avenue will remain open to vehicular traffic between Helen Heneghan Way and Monroe Street.
Find a directory of Rockville restaurants, with pickup and outside dining availability, at bit.ly/rkvrestaurants.
Rockville to Celebrate July Fourth Online
The City of Rockville and Montgomery County are joining together and planning a stay-at-home July Fourth celebration. Details were still developing as this edition of “Rockville Reports” went to print. Details about the celebration will be shared through social media.
National Night Out Moves to October
National Night Out, the annual celebration of community spirit and community policing partnerships, will now be held Oct. 6. Normally held in August, the event has been moved because of health concerns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Food Distribution
Need food during the COVID-19 emergency? Visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19-food for a list of food resources around the county and other important information. Rockville seniors can call the senior center at 240-314-8800, from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, for assistance with food.
Mental Health and Wellness
The coronavirus pandemic is causing increased stress and anxiety, so the Mental Health Association of Maryland has curated a list of trusted resources to help during this unusual, and potentially difficult, time. Visit www.mhamd.org/coronavirus.
Mayor and Council Enact Temporary Freeze on Residential Rental Rates
The Mayor and Council took action to protect residential renters during the COVID-19 emergency, passing an ordinance to temporarily suspend rent increases at licensed rental properties through July 31.
Under the new legislation, no rents may be raised through July 31. From Aug. 1, until 180 days after the state of emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is lifted, rents may be raised by no more than 2.6%.
For more information, contact the city’s divisions of Code Enforcement at 240-314-8330 or Landlord-Tenant Affairs at 240-314-8320. For more landlord and tenant resources, and to see the ordinance, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/259/Landlord-Tenant-Complaints.
Safer Shopping in Store at Rockville Farmers Market
Preordering Service Provided for Quicker, Safer Shopping
The City of Rockville’s Farmers Market is open for the season, with market rules and regulations and a pre-ordering program for quicker, safer shopping.
The market will be open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, through Nov. 21, in the jury parking lot at East Jefferson (Route 28) and Monroe streets in Rockville Town Center.
The city is following state guidelines that allow farmers markets to open during the COVID-19 emergency with social distancing and other safety measures to reduce the risks to customers and vendors. A state order requires that face coverings be worn at retail and food service establishments, including farmers markets.
Preorder from vendors whenever possible. A list of vendors accepting preorders is available at www.rockvillemd.gov/farmers.
Rockville 11’s COVID-19 Coverage
Rockville 11 is part of The PEG Network/Connect Montgomery Alliance — local cable access operators that provide trusted information about government, schools and the arts for Montgomery County residents.
As a part of this alliance, Rockville 11 is sharing the latest information on COVID-19 with a 90-minute programming block, airing daily with useful news during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Find the schedule at www.rockvillemd.gov/Rockville11.
Stay Informed
For the latest city-related information, follow the City of Rockville on social media (Nextdoor, Facebook and Twitter), visit the website at www.rockvillemd.gov, or sign up for Alert Rockville at www.rockvillemd.gov/alerts.
The city has created an email newsletter to keep community members up-to-date on COVID-19 news, including city, state and county news; Rockville closures and cancellations; resources on how to help in the community; and safe and fun activity ideas for families to do at home. Visit mailchi.mp/
rockvillemd/covid19updates to sign up and receive the newsletter daily in your inbox.
For general inquiries about city operations, call 240-314-5000.