Rockville’s Outdoor Dining to Remain ‘Indefinitely’

Road closures in Rockville that allow outdoor dining on Gibbs Street and East Montgomery Avenue will remain in place indefinitely, Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton told the community at the Monday, Oct. 4 Mayor and Council meeting.

The decision, made by City Manager Rob DiSpirito, comes after September’s virtual meetings to gauge public sentiment toward retaining Rockville’s “streeteries.” A partial closure of East Montgomery Avenue allows for eastbound traffic, a pickup/drop-off lane along the south curb, and an outdoor dining tent for World of Beer along the north curb. Gibbs is closed entirely.

“We are going to leave them as is … ” Newton said at the Mayor and Council meeting. “So just for those of you who are looking for that, we have done what you requested, we heard you loud and clear in the three town hall meetings, so thank you for your participation.”

Feedback from the public meetings, as well as door-to-door and phone conversations, and an online survey, indicated broad and strong support for continuing the closures. In addition, free, 15-minute on-street parking for curbside pickup will continue in designated spaces in Town Center.

In June 2020, the city closed Gibbs Street, between East Middle Lane and Beall Avenue, and East Montgomery Avenue, between Maryland Avenue and Helen Heneghan Way, to allow for expanded outdoor dining areas. The city also created a permit to allow local eateries to temporarily create or expand outdoor dining spaces on private property and within the city’s rights of way, and designated curbside pickup and 15-minute free parking spaces throughout Town Center. East Montgomery was partially reopened in May.