ROBBERY ON FISHERS LANE + MORE - NIGHTSWATCH: ROCKVILLE CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Rockville on August 10, according to crime data:

Theft from vehicle. 700 block Carr Avenue.

Theft. 100 block Virginia Avenue.

Assault. 15900 block Somerville Drive.

Robbery. 5700 block Fishers Lane.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY BRT BACKFIRE AT COUNTY FAIR

The latest gaffe in the effort to sell a skeptical public on Bus Rapid Transit was a photo op that backfired at the Montgomery County Fair. After several years of claiming BRT vehicles would be futuristic, and more like railcars than buses, a BRT vehicle presented to media at the fair looked...exactly like a bus! Inside and out, the vehicle resembled the Metro buses we ride all over the DC area today. Just how this would help overcome the lower ridership potential of buses versus rail was not explained.

I'm also curious - who paid to transport this vehicle to the fair, and for all of the display materials and signage? It would be very costly to do so. Was this lobbying by a company for the theoretical fleet contract? An organization (financially backed by whom?)? Or was it paid for by the taxpayers?

The media blitz contained no mention of the 155 homes and businesses that would be condemned between Olney and Wheaton alone to build the BRT line along Georgia Avenue. What would be condemned in Rockville and Bethesda for a line that duplicates the Red Line, and dumps downtown DC-bound commuters short of the DC-MD line?

Signage promoted "Rapid Transit" (note they dropped the "bus" part), but the vehicle screamed "bus."  At a speed of 12 miles in 50 minutes, they may want to consider dropping the "Rapid" term, as well. While there was no indication of who paid for the BRT vehicle, there was also no indication of how the BRT system will be paid for.

Overall, there seems to be a much more compelling need to finance 8-car trains for Metro with some of the $5 billion that would be spent on BRT. We know Metro - as with rail transit in general - would have higher ridership than BRT. Increased capacity on the Red Line would be far more effective in accommodating current and future development in downtown Bethesda, and along Rockville Pike. It would also avoid the currently-planned seizure of automobile lanes for BRT, which would reduce auto capacity on that congested corridor by 33%.

Rail transit, and a new Potomac River crossing, would have far greater impact on economic development and job creation than BRT.

NIGHTSWATCH: ROCKVILLE CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Rockville on August 4, according to crime data:

"Other sexual offense." Unit block of Columbia Court.

Assault. 2000 block Gaither Road.

Theft. 600 block Elmcroft Boulevard.

Theft from vehicle. 15900 block Indianola Drive.

Theft. Unit block of Owens Court.

Theft. Unit block of W. Montgomery Avenue.

Theft from vehicle. 200 block Congressional Lane.

Theft from vehicle. 1600 block E. Jefferson Street.

Theft. 12500 block Parklawn Drive.

Theft. 5700 block Bou Avenue.

Theft. 2100 block Veirs Mill Road.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT IN ROCKVILLE TONIGHT

Tonight is the annual National Night Out event across Rockville. Many communities will participate in this event designed to promote crime prevention, and greater cooperation between citizens and law enforcement.

Your neighborhood might be hosting a block party. If so, you may expect McGruff the Crime Dog, and representatives of the Rockville City Police, Montgomery County State's Attorney's office officials, as well as Mayor Bridget Newton and/or various City Councilmembers to appear.

The following neighborhoods and associations are hosting parties tonight:

• Beall’s Grant
• College Gardens
• East Rockville
• Fallsbend
• Falls Ridge
• Heritage Park
• Hungerford
• King Farm
• Lincoln Park
• Maryvale
• New Mark Commons
• Redgate Farms
• Rockshire
• Town Center
• Twinbrook
• West End
• Woodley Gardens
• Woodmont Park
• Woods Edge Apartments

ROCKVILLE TARGET EXPANDS HOURS FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL SEASON

Speaking of "Rockville Nights," the Rockville Target store has expanded its hours for the "Back-to-School" season. Beginning today, Target will be open 8:00 AM until midnight Monday through Saturday, and 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM on Sundays. Hopefully we can eventually get a 24-hour Target and 24-hour Walmart Superstore.

Target

5700 Bou Avenue

Rockville

NIGHTSWATCH: ROCKVILLE CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Rockville on July 29, according to crime data:

"Other sexual offense." 100 block Gibbs Street.

Theft. 1 block Maryland Avenue.

Theft from vehicle. 13900 block Glen Mill Road.

Theft from vehicle. 13700 block Valley Drive.

Theft from vehicle. 200 block King Farm Boulevard.

Theft. 400 block Redland Boulevard.

Theft. 1500 block Rockville Pike.

ROCKVILLE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING THURSDAY

The Rockville Development Review Committee will meet Thursday, July 31, at 9:00 AM, in the Black Eyed Susan Conference Room at City Hall. If you have any questions, call 240-314-8228.

KING FARM AUTO BREAK-INS - NIGHTSWATCH: ROCKVILLE CRIME UPDATE

At least four vehicles in King Farm were broken into on Friday, according to crime data. If you live in King Farm, make sure your car is locked, and all valuables removed from the cabin. Report any suspicious persons or vehicles to Rockville or Montgomery County Police immediately.

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Rockville on July 25:

Vehicle burglary. Ivy League Lane at Martins Square Lane.

Burglary. 200 block Martins Lane.

Vehicle burglary. 200 block Marsh Hollow Place (King Farm).

Vehicle burglary. 600 block Grand Champion Drive (King Farm).

Vehicle burglary. 500 block Lawson Way (King Farm).

Vehicle burglary. 200 block King Farm Boulevard (King Farm).

COURT ORDERS I-270 SOUND BARRIER PROJECT TO STOP AT WOODLEY GARDENS SHOPPING CENTER

I-270 is located behind this
barrier at the
Woodley Gardens Shopping
Center in Rockville

A Montgomery County judge ordered the Maryland State Highway Administration to terminate a planned sound barrier project along I-270 in Rockville last week.

The Daily Record reports that the judge determined the state violated the property rights of the Woodley Gardens Shopping Center on Nelson Street. Soil sampling and jackhammering of asphalt on shopping center property were determined as not permissible under Maryland's eminent domain law.

Daily Record reporter Danny Jacobs writes that the SHA has not yet determined if it will appeal the ruling. Now imagine what might happen should the county and state decide to widen 270!

ROCKVILLE NAMED 8TH SNOBBIEST SMALL CITY IN AMERICA

Rockville, snobbish? Hard to believe. But Rockville has now been named the 8th "Snobbiest Small City in America," tied with Encinitas, CA. The list, created by the Movoto blog, claims to represent a serious study of data on small towns across America.

Criteria for earning a high place on the list included median home price, median household income, percent of population with a college degree, private schools-per-capita, performing arts-per-capita, art galleries-per-capita, and the number of fast food restaurants.

The only snobbish attitude I've encountered in decades in Rockville, is coming from outsiders who want to urbanize the small-town atmosphere that exists in it today. People who believe that state highways are not designed to move commuters, but are places well-suited to dining on croissants and cappuccinos.

To suggest the presence of the arts equals snobbery makes little sense, when you consider that the arts often flourish in areas less wealthy than Rockville. H Street?

"Fast food restaurants per capita (the more the better[)]?" Either Movoto needs to hire a copy editor, or this was off-base. Ordinarily, fast food restaurants are not considered snobbish. Rockville could actually use more fast food restaurants, in my opinion. Starting with restoring one to the now-vacant Chicken Out in College Plaza, which used to be an A&W Restaurant.

ROCKVILLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL APPROVE 4 YEAR TERMS FOR CITY ELECTED OFFICES

Rockville's Mayor and Council ended years of debate over whether 2 year terms were too short to accomplish the people's business Monday night, voting 3-2 to extend them to 4 years. Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton and Councilmembers Beryl L. Feinberg and Virginia D. Onley voted for the longer terms, but the change was opposed by Councilmembers Tom Moore and Julie Palakovich Carr. The new terms take effect in the 2015 city election. A 54% majority of voters approved of the idea in a 2013 city ballot question.

NIGHTSWATCH: ROCKVILLE CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Rockville on July 11, according to crime data:

Theft. 800 block Rockville Pike.

Drug arrest. Falls Road Park vicinity.

Theft. 300 block Crabb Avenue.

Drug arrest. Unit block of N. Washington Street.

Theft from vehicle. 800 block College Parkway.

Theft. 400 block Redland Boulevard.

Theft. Safeway, 403 Redland Boulevard.

Vehicle burglary. 15900 block Frederick Road.

2 PROPOSED HOME DEMOLITIONS ON AGENDA FOR ROCKVILLE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

Two small, single-family homes will be considered for demolition at the July 17 meeting of the Rockville Historic District Commission. One is at 209 Elizabeth Avenue in Lincoln Park, and the other is in the West End, at 112 North Street.

Also on the agenda, are approval for tax credit applications for two historic properties.

The meeting will be in the Mayor and Council chambers at City Hall, and will begin at 7:30 PM.

NEW CONGRESSIONAL PLAZA APARTMENTS ON ROCKVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA TONIGHT

A Federal Realty proposal to construct an apartment building at E. Jefferson Street and Halpine Road, by Congressional Plaza, is the main item on the agenda at tonight's meeting of the Rockville Planning Commission. The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM in the Mayor and Council chambers at City Hall, and will be broadcast live on Comcast Channel 11.

The 5-story, stick-built project will hold 49 apartments, and an at-grade parking facility for 26 vehicles. Overflow parking is planned to be accommodated on the existing surface lot adjacent to the building.

Because the development does not meet or exceed 50% of the site's development, the project is exempt from updated stormwater, forestry, art and public space requirements. Federal Realty also proposes to correct a flawed loading dock ingress on Halpine Road during the project, making it easier for tractor-trailers to maneuver when making deliveries.

Any children in the development enrolled in Montgomery County Public Schools will attend Farmland Elementary School, Tilden Middle School, and Walter Johnson High School.

It appears the project will be called Crest II, a nod to The Crest, an existing residential building at Congressional Plaza.

ROCKVILLE ROY ROGERS DELAYED UNTIL FALL

Another disappointment for Roy Rogers fans in Rockville - the return of Roy's to Rockville Pike has been postponed again. A spokesperson said Thursday that permitting issues are holding up the new restaurant. The future Roy Rogers will be on the former Century Ford dealership site, across from Marlo Furniture on the Pike. It is now scheduled to open sometime in September or October.

THE UPTON/CAMBRIA SUITES HOTEL ROCKVILLE CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

Here is the latest progress at the construction site of the future Upton apartments and Cambria Suites hotel, in Rockville Town Center along E. Middle Lane. Remember, a second tower will be built later on the remaining portion of the public parking lot in front of the Regal Rockville. A second new hotel, Even Hotel, is opening further down Rockville Pike.

USA VS. BELGIUM WORLD CUP MATCH IN ROCKVILLE AT AMERICAN TAP ROOM

American Tap Room will be offering its special World Cup Menu today, during the USA vs. Belgium game at 4:00 PM. The restaurant/bar is located in Rockville Town Square. Click the menu to enlarge for detail.

SHOULD N. WASHINGTON STREET SLOW DOWN?

A change in Rockville policy could give the city's Public Works Director broader, but more defined, authority to determine parking and - in practice - throughput on roads in Business Districts. Some on the Montgomery County Council have sought similar power to slow down traffic, but in many cases those county roads are actually controlled by the State Highway Administration.

Part of an increasingly nationwide effort to reduce speeds, the objective is not always purely about public safety. For some, it is sincerely a safety or business development issue. A few proponents are part of the "war on cars," who seek to make driving as painful as possible, in the hopes of forcing drivers to "get out of their cars," and use public transit. Others include developers seeking to maximize development potential of properties along busy roads and highways, such as Rockville Pike. Plans for outdoor cafes on the curbside of roads where cars rush by have, understandably, sounded quite preposterous. Seeking to lower the embarrassment level for themselves, many have seized upon the idea of taking control of those roads, and forcing traffic to slow to 25 MPH (or even 10 MPH, in New York City). That concept is specifically being floated for state roads in the White Flint area, as well as for parts of Georgia Avenue, to name a few.

One Rockville street targeted by the potential new policy is N. Washington Street. Under the proposed policy, it could become a two-lane road with street parking. Should N. Washington Street become a 2-lane crawlspace like Maryland Avenue? A potential problem, which of course is the source of much traffic on N. Washington, is that it functions as a bypass or parallel route for MD 355.  It is also an alternative route to reaching parts of the town center area. Snarled capacity on N. Washington could have a direct and negative effect on 355 traffic.

Public Works Director Craig Simoneau told the Mayor and Council Monday evening that the new policy would actually better define his existing powers to make road classification and parking decisions. Mayor Bridget Newton expressed concern that these decisions not be removed from the discretion of the city's elected officials. Simoneau argued that he currently possesses more leeway on these matters, and that a new policy would clarify his authority.

WHAT'S LEFT OF THE HISTORIC PINK BANK IN ROCKVILLE (PHOTOS)

What's left? Not much. The demolition of the historic Suburban Trust Building at 255 N. Washington Street may well be the most shameful land-use decision by the city since its disastrous "urban renewal" of the 1960s. Virtually the entire historic downtown was demolished back then, in contrast to Maryland cities like Frederick and Hagerstown, who have maintained their original downtowns as desirable assets. This recent demolition was opposed by Rockville's Historic District Commission, as well as by historic preservationists in the city.

The demise of the "Pink Bank" not only cost Rockville a rare example of New Formalist architecture, and a historic building that represented the primacy of the suburban lifestyle that defines Rockville. It also eliminated the "sense of place" developers often cite facetiously. Whether you liked the Pink Bank, or not, you knew exactly where you were when you passed it. The same cannot be said of the cookie-cutter town centers around the DC area, with few exceptions. All the same restaurants, shops and indistinguishable architecture leave the visitor puzzled and unimpressed. Why go "there," when all the same stuff is "here?"

Remnants of the bank's
drive-thru

The bank's drive-thru gate
is still standing

Just a pile

Mixed-use development
will replace the Pink Bank

NIGHTSWATCH: ROCKVILLE CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Rockville on June 13, according to crime data:

Theft. 1500 block Rockville Pike.

Theft. Unit block of W. Montgomery Avenue.

Vehicle burglary. Beall Avenue at Gibbs Street.

Assault. 300 block Prettyman Drive (King Farm).

Theft. 300 block Martins Lane.

Theft from vehicle. 100 block Rockville Pike.

Assault. 1500 block Rockville Pike.

Stolen car. 11600 block Nebel Street.