Council to Vote on Revised Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area Plan in Growing Arena District
Designated
Outdoor Refreshment Area connects Restaurants, Music Venues, Clippers, Blue
Jackets and Crew Arenas
[COLUMBUS, OH] On Monday, July 26, 2021, Council will introduce
Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) legislation that reduces the
footprint where residents can openly carry alcoholic beverages. The update
incorporates community feedback gathered from a public hearing and community
meetings.
In June, Council received the application to create a DORA in
the Arena District. The original plan encompassed Nationwide Arena, Huntington
Park, Lower.com Field, McFerson Commons Park, Spring Street and Neil Avenue. It
would allow residents to purchase alcoholic beverages from participating bars
and restaurants and then take those drinks with them outside and into other
participating eateries and retail shops within the designated area.
Residents immediately expressed concerns about McFerson Commons
Park, Neil Avenue and Spring Street, all residential neighborhood areas without
any retail establishments being included in the boundaries of the DORA.
“As with all legislation, we are eager to hear from the
community and will always consider public input before advancing the final
product,” said Councilmember Emmanuel V. Remy. “Armed
with feedback from this community, we requested the administration revise the
application to exclude these areas of concern.”
During a public hearing on June 24, 2021, and subsequent
meetings, Council worked with residents to make adjustments to the DORA
boundaries. After careful consideration, the following areas were
removed:
- McFerson
Commons Park
- Neil
Avenue - South of Nationwide Blvd
- New
Public Lane
- Parks
Edge Place
- Spring
Street
- West
Street
- John
H. McConnell Blvd
Within the newly defined area, which can be viewed here, patrons will be
able to enjoy an alcoholic beverage outdoors within the designated area during
all home Columbus Blue Jackets, Columbus Clippers, and Columbus Crew game days,
beginning three hours prior to the start of the game and continuing until
11:59pm on that same day.
“Columbus is a growing vibrant city. This is an
opportunity to enhance this entertainment district, while providing an
opportunity for economic stimulus to our local bar and restaurant owners in the
area,” Remy continued.
"This designated area is primed to be a popular destination for residents
to enjoy many memorable evenings while frequenting local businesses and taking
in a game, or other event.”
Under the provisions of creating a DORA, adjustments are
prohibited once the application is submitted. As a result, Council must vote
down the original legislation and then immediately move to pass the new ordinance.
The new, amended DORA application can be viewed here.
If passed by Council on July 26, 2021, the DORA in the Arena
District could be first active for an event within the third quarter of this
year.
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