By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green Mayor Mike Aspacher wants to explore a DORA in the downtown this year. He would like to see the designated outdoor refreshment area in place by time the first Firefly Nights event is held downtown in June.
The DORA – which would allow customers at participating businesses to take alcoholic beverages outside during specific times and in specific areas – was one of seven priorities listed by Aspacher at a city strategic plan meeting held Saturday afternoon.
The mayor said he plans to meet soon with downtown business owners and organizers of the Black Swamp Arts Festival to get their input on the proposed DORA. City Council will need to schedule a public meeting on the issue.
“We want to come up with a solution that’s beneficial to them,” Aspacher said of the businesses.
The police and fire chiefs will also be consulted so they can discuss any safety concerns.
Aspacher would like to see the city start by allowing the DORA during special events like the summertime Firefly Nights.
“That may be a way to dip our toe in the water and see how it will work,” he said.
To get DORA approval from the state by this June may be optimistic.
“It’s a bit of an aggressive process,” Aspacher said. “We’re up a little bit against the calendar to get it down.”
Assistant Municipal Administrator Joe Fawcett explained that creation of a DORA is not just a matter of the city taking action.
The businesses with liquor licenses in the footprint decided by the city will have to apply to the state for approval.
Those businesses granted approval would have a DORA designation added to their liquor licenses. They would be given special cups for alcohol, that can then be taken outside by customers – within the allowed footprint.
Other goals for 2020 listed by Aspacher included:
Develop and implement plan to construct a new city administration building
The city has already contracted with Poggemeyer Design Group and The Collaborative to assess the existing city administration building, the existing senior center, and the property adjacent to these buildings – all owned by the city.
The study will look at the long-term needs in the new city building, the historical relevance of the senior center building, and the costs associated with preservation efforts.
Public input will be sought on the project, Aspacher said.
The mayor said he would like construction of the new building to begin in the fall of 2021.
“We have been planning this project for many years,” he said.
Implement a comprehensive review of the city’s zoning code, with a focus on the Gateway district
“I am committed to working with council to determine the focus of a comprehensive review of our zoning code,” he said.
The new zoning code should be a more modern zoning approach that removes existing inconsistencies and serves as a more diverse and aggressive economic development approach.
The mayor would like to see the Gateway district proposals in place before the end of this year.
Complete the scheduled updates to the city’s website by end of this year
Funds have already been budgeted for updates to the website that would make it more user friendly, fully ADA compliant, and more easily navigated by citizens.
“I believe improvements here will allow us to be better able to respond to citizens’ questions and concerns in a timely fashion,” Aspacher said.
Work on selling the Four Corners building purchased by the city in 2019
The old Wood County bank building in the downtown currently houses the Four Corners entities of the city’s economic development office, the chamber of commerce, the convention and visitors bureau, and the Downtown BG office.
Aspacher said the city has no desire to become a landlord of all the offices in the old bank building. The goal is to sell the building, with the provision that the Four Corners entities can remain and pay rent to the new owner.
Begin discussion of a community exterior maintenance code
The mayor would like the city to create a standard for exterior home maintenance to bolster the new enforcement effort, and give the enforcement personnel more tools.
“We need to demonstrate our commitment to all of Bowling Green’s neighborhoods and apply the newly created standards uniformly across the city,” Aspacher said.
The mayor said he has no expectation that these standards will be welcomed by all.
“I have every belief it’s going to be a contentious discussion,” he said, noting that an “eyesore” to one person is acceptable to another. “There are some houses in our community that most of us agree wouldn’t meet community standards.”
Review the city’s sustainability programs and educational opportunities
Aspacher has asked the city’s sustainability coordinator to conduct a comprehensive review of programs already offered – such as those on curbside recycling, organics and electronic recycling.
