DORA decision: Ashland looking for feedback as city eyes outdoor alcohol zone

Zach Tuggle, Ashland Times Gazette
Updated ·5 min read
West Main Street at Claremont Avenue would be part of Ashland's proposed DORA if the outdoor drinking zone is approved by City Council.
West Main Street at Claremont Avenue would be part of Ashland's proposed DORA if the outdoor drinking zone is approved by City Council.

ASHLAND − Patrons of city establishments may soon be allowed to drink alcohol openly downtown, thanks to the potential creation of a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA).

City Council members are expected to consider the idea May 16 during a regularly scheduled meeting, according to Matt Miller, mayor of Ashland.

"They can review it," Miller said. "They can adopt it at that point."

Residents have until at least May 4 to voice their opinions — both negative and positive — on the proposal.

Several area cities have created DORAs to spur business growth

Ashland-area residents and businesses are being asked to weigh in on a proposal to create a DORA allowing businesses within a designated zone to sell alcohol in special cups for patrons to take outside and drink within the refreshment area. Ashland's proposed DORA would be for special events.
Ashland-area residents and businesses are being asked to weigh in on a proposal to create a DORA allowing businesses within a designated zone to sell alcohol in special cups for patrons to take outside and drink within the refreshment area. Ashland's proposed DORA would be for special events.

The conversation about forming a DORA in Ashland started nearly three years ago, during the global COVID-19 pandemic.

"The state legislature took action to allow local community or political jurisdictions, such as the city of Ashland, to be able to set up temporary designated outdoor refreshment areas around the various restaurants and bars that exist in our community," Miller said. "Because there were social-distancing guidelines in place that forbid them to fill up their restaurants to the maximum capacity they were used to, it gave these local bars and restaurants the ability to expand their patios out onto public land."

Some communities have had a DORA for several years. Canton leaders, for example, approved theirs in 2016. The city's second outdoor drinking designation was approved for Hall of Fame Village in January.

During June of 2020, Akron Mayor Daniel Horrigan convinced council to approve a DORA in the city’s downtown entertainment district, the Akron Beacon Journal reported.

Wooster City Council members unanimously approved their city's DORA in August of 2020. It became effective the next month.

In Bucyrus, a DORA was formed this past year during the summer of 2022.

"More and more communities around Ohio are starting to institute a DORA," Miller said. "It gives people the opportunity to move about the downtown businesses freely with a beverage in hand."

Borders of DORA would be marked with signs

A view of Center Street looking north to Main Street from the theater in downtown Ashland. The city is considering an outdoor drinking zone that would include Main Street from Union Street to Claremont Avenue, Orange to Main streets and Center Street from the theater to Main Street.
A view of Center Street looking north to Main Street from the theater in downtown Ashland. The city is considering an outdoor drinking zone that would include Main Street from Union Street to Claremont Avenue, Orange to Main streets and Center Street from the theater to Main Street.

The mayor formally proposed the Ashland DORA during the April 4 City Council meeting.

"It's pretty much Main Street between Claremont Avenue and Union Street," Miller said. "It extends to the theater because the theater does have a liquor permit. It also extends over to Second Street to take in Wagon Wheel and Joan's Tavern."

More: Long-awaited Ashland theater set to open May 5 with a new name and updated look

State law does not require any sort of physical barriers corralling a DORA's boundaries, but it would require the city to clearly mark the area's borders so that anyone drinking would know to stop while still carrying a beverage.

"We have already designed signage and decals that could be utilized if the DORA is in fact adopted," Miller said. "We would post these signs at the various boundaries of the downtown area to signify the limits."

Beverage holders must adhere to state law

The city of Ashland is considering a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA), which would allow businesses to sell permitted alcohol drinks in special cups during specific events that consumers could drink outside in the designated zone.
The city of Ashland is considering a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA), which would allow businesses to sell permitted alcohol drinks in special cups during specific events that consumers could drink outside in the designated zone.

Only certain drinks are allowed to be carried or consumed in any Ohio DORA, per state law.

Establishments within the DORA zone that are listed as approved retailers must sell the beverages in clear plastic cups that are clearly marked.

"If (consumers) purchase it in a DORA Cup, they would then be able to leave the establishment and move about freely on the sidewalks in downtown Ashland," Miller explained.

Those who possess an alcoholic beverage would then be subject to state law and would be expected to watch for and obey all signs.

"Say one of our local gift boutiques does not want someone coming into their store with a beverage; then we have special decals they would place on the front door that would let customers know that they are not participating," Miller said.

Once a person finishes their beverage in their marked cup, it cannot be refilled.

"If they decided to purchase another beverage, they would have to get rid of that cup, go back into a restaurant or bar that was participating in the DORA, and then purchase a second DORA cup," Miller said.

DORA would exist during special events only

If an outdoor drinking zone is approved for the city of Ashland during special events, the mayor's office would approve each event individually. Paperwork would need to be on file before establishments could legally sell beverages in their DORA cups. Orange Street would be part of the DORA zone.
If an outdoor drinking zone is approved for the city of Ashland during special events, the mayor's office would approve each event individually. Paperwork would need to be on file before establishments could legally sell beverages in their DORA cups. Orange Street would be part of the DORA zone.

If approved, Ashland's DORA would only exist during special occasions, and would not be permanent.

"Perhaps St. Patrick's Day, or maybe one of the Music on Main concert nights, or whatever community event that might take place downtown," Miller said.

The mayor's office would approve each event individually. Paperwork would need to be on file before establishments could legally sell beverages in their DORA cups.

"We have worked very closely with our police chief," Miller said. "He is supportive of the concept of doing it during special events only."

Public welcome to voice support or concerns on DORA

Ashland City Council is considering an outdoor drinking zone for the downtown area during special events. The idea has been talked about for several years and was officially proposed April 4. Ohio law prohibits council from taking action on the issue for 30 days, which would be May 4.
Ashland City Council is considering an outdoor drinking zone for the downtown area during special events. The idea has been talked about for several years and was officially proposed April 4. Ohio law prohibits council from taking action on the issue for 30 days, which would be May 4.

Since the mayor officially proposed the DORA on April 4, state low prohibits City Council from taking action on the idea before May 4, which is 30 days.

"They have published notice in The Times-Gazette that we are considering DORA," Miller said. "After 30 days they will then be able to decide whether or not they want to adopt the plan or the application."

The first regularly scheduled meeting where the idea could be discussed is May 16.

Until then, the mayor hopes to hear from the city's residents and business owners.

"They can reach out to myself as the mayor, or reach out to the mayor's office, or any of the council members," Miller said. "If they want to take a look at the application, they're welcome to stop by the mayor's office because we have them available for review."

ztuggle@gannett.com

419-564-3508

Twitter: @zachtuggle

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Outdoor drinking may be coming to downtown Ashland as city weighs DORA