Proposed New Philadelphia DORA district draws reactions; public meeting planned

NEW PHILADELPHIA ‒ Council began discussions Monday on a proposal that would allow people to carry alcohol outdoors in a designated area, and residents had a chance to express their opinions on the idea.

Several council members said they thought creating a DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area) in downtown New Philadelphia was worth considering, but they all agreed they should explore it fully before acting.

Safety Director Greg Popham urged caution.

"I think we ought to crawl before we walk," he said. "I wouldn't see a problem with doing special events. I think that could enhance a special event."

If the DORA worked with special events, then it could be expanded to five or six days a week. "But I just think starting right out of the gate, let's just crawl with this thing and see how it works," he said.

What is a DORA?

The special district was proposed by Jim Knisely, who owns Alley Cats Marketplace and Fresh the Market in downtown New Philadelphia with his wife, Debbie. He said he was representing a committee of residents.

The DORA program was created by the state in 2015. Under the rules, someone could purchase alcohol at a bar and walk around on the street with the beverage in a designated container with a logo on it. The container would have to be purchased at one of the participating establishments in the DORA. The container can only be used once. Businesses in the designated area can put up signs to prohibit the cups in their stores. Signs would be erected to designate the perimeter of the DORA zone.

The boundaries of the area would be Fair Avenue on the north, Bank Lane on the south, Second Street on the west and First Drive on the east. This would encompass nearly all of downtown New Philadelphia. There are seven establishments that serve alcohol in this area ‒ Craft Bistro & Lounge, Broadway Brewhouse, J&G Grill, Gavins on the Square, Ricardo's Restaurant and Banquet Hall, The Venue and Mustard's at the Wine Rack.

Opposition to the plan

Several residents spoke against creating a DORA, including John Reed, owner of National Furniture on South Broadway Street. His business is within the proposed district.

"None of you people are going to have to deal with this," he told council. "I'm the one who has to deal with this."

He said he has broken up fights during the daytime and had drunken people fall down and injury themselves near his store. He said he doesn't want people coming into his business, even with a sealed glass of alcohol and spilling it on the furniture he is selling.

"I don't think there's any reason to have it," Reed said of the DORA.

Former Commissioner Kerry Metzger said Empower Tusc, an anti-drug coalition, will be fully engaged in discussions on the proposal. He is a member of the coalition.

"We are focused on changing the community norm," he said. "As you go into discussions with this, you need to keep in the back of your mind, is this the right thing to do so that we do not change a community norm, because study after study has shown that as you weaken with alcohol or any intoxicating drugs, youth look at it with the perception that it's not harmful."

Dale Burk, who lives on Ray Avenue, also spoke against the idea.

"The thing that trouble me about it is that it seems like in every community, their solution to economic situations seems to be alcohol," he said. "I'm really concerned about what kind of a message we're sending to our children, because in schools, we tell our children stay away from drugs, stay away from alcohol, and then as adults we say it's OK and it's necessary if you want to have fun."

He said people wouldn't want to bring their families downtown to shop at local businesses if people were walking around with containers of alcohol. He urged council to move forward cautiously.

'Make this a better city for everyone'

Knisely said he talked to officials in several cities that already have DORAs, and they did not mention any problems created by the district.

He said the committee he belongs to wants to support the downtown and "make this a better city for everyone. And certainly, we want everybody to get on board with what we're doing."

Knisely was the only person to speak in favor of the DORA.

The DORA proposal is being considered by council's Special and Contact Committee. Councilman Michael Walker, who chairs the committee, said he is planning on holding a public meeting to discuss the issue.

Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at jon.baker@timesreporter.com.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: New Philadelphia residents comment on proposed downtown DORA district