News
The city of Athens may expand its DORA, where people can legally drink alcohol outside
By: David Forster
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — The city of Athens is considering expanding into the westside neighborhood a special zone that allows people to drink alcohol outside in public spaces.
The city’s existing designated outdoor refreshment area, better known as a DORA, includes the uptown district and Stimson Avenue.
Under the proposed expansion, the area around the West End Ciderhouse would be included.
Under a DORA, people can buy drinks at participating establishments and take them outside, which is otherwise illegal.
The drinks must be in DORA designated cups, which the city sells to the vendors as required under state law.
Athens Councilmember Alan Swank noted at Monday’s council meeting that the city has cleared about $11,800 on the sales of these cups since the DORA began. That money goes into the general fund.
In an email to the council, Athens Police Chief Nick Magruder said he has no reservations about the DORA.
“Since DORA has begun we have not had a single issue,” Magruder wrote. “I truly don’t see anything that needs to be improved or any concerns.”
Mayor Steve Patterson told council members he has not heard any complaints about the DORA. He said it’s been “highly effective during the summer months when our population is almost cut in half” in drawing the non-student population to establishments uptown and along the Stimson corridor.
Swank also noted that having it relieves businesses and the council of having to go through the process of getting a special liquor permit for every outdoor event during the summer months in the DORA zone.
The proposed extension around the Ciderhouse would connect to the existing zone on West Union along Smith and Byard streets. This would allow people to legally carry drinks from one area to another.
The DORA season begins the Friday of Ohio University’s spring commencement weekend and runs through the Sunday of the week before the beginning of fall semester. The hours are Monday through Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.
State law requires a public hearing on the DORA every five years, which is planned for the June 1 City Council meeting.