By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
DORA’s downtown footprint has been cast.
The formal application for a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area in downtown Bowling Green was filed Monday with City Council. The map includes about 9.23 acres stretching from Clough Street on the south end to just north of Court Street on the north end.
The DORA would allow customers at participating businesses to take alcoholic beverages outside during specific times and in specific areas.
A public hearing on the creation of a DORA will be held June 15, at 6 p.m.
The request to establish a DORA comes on the heels of some difficult times for downtown businesses. Last year, extensive construction in the downtown area discouraged customers from patronizing stores and restaurants, then this spring COVID-19 shut down many businesses for a couple months.
In choosing to bring this forward at this time, the DORA applicants are aware that social distancing and adequate spacing for patrons in restaurants is critical. Allowing dining outside provides diversity of choice for customers patronizing downtown.
However, the applicants also have a long-term view of the benefits of a DORA in Downtown Bowling Green. Approval of a DORA is for the economic and cultural benefit of Bowling Green, according to the application.
It provides options for those visiting Bowling Green and positions the community as a vibrant destination for entertainment, culture, and activity, the application states.
The creation of a DORA is not just a matter of the city taking action. The businesses with liquor licenses in the footprint will have to apply to the state for approval. Those businesses granted approval would have a DORA designation added to their liquor licenses. They will use special cups for alcohol, that can then be taken outside by customers – within the allowed footprint.
Details about the DORA application can be found at https://www.bgohio.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/EDITED_WEBSITE_DORA-application-FINAL.pdf?x33100
According to the application, at least six businesses with liquor permits have expressed interest in participating. They are: Bar 149, Naslada, City Tap and the Attic, Doc’s, SamB’s, and Trotter’s Tavern.
There are numerous partners working cooperatively to implement the DORA. These include, but are not limited to, Downtown Bowling Green, business owners in downtown Bowling Green, and numerous City of Bowling Green Departments: Administration, Public Works, and Police.
Letters of support are included in the application and state: “We are supportive of a DORA program to create an environment that will bring people back to downtown and help businesses and the community grow.”
“DORA will bring people to our downtown that otherwise would not come to Bowling Green,” the letters state.
Following are some details from the application:
- Signage: Plans call for at least 16 signs to be posted at the intersections and alley connections, to designate the boundaries of the DORA.
- Time of year: The DORA may be in operation annually from the Friday prior to Memorial Day weekend, until the end of day on Monday of Labor Day weekend.
- Hours: The outdoor refreshment areas may be open Mondays through Thursdays, from 4 to 10 p.m., and Fridays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Last sales will occur no later than 9:30 p.m., and all cups must be disposed of by 10 p.m.
- Public safety plan: The Bowling Green Police Division commits to the continued patrol and monitoring of Bowling Green’s Downtown and the DORA as often as possible during times of DORA operation. The patrol of the area shall be tailored to be adequate and sufficient for public safety. For special events, businesses may need to contract with the city police. This security plan will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
- Trash: The City of Bowling Green has 12 trash receptacles placed throughout the DORA located on both sides of North and South Main streets. Public Works will monitor the use of the receptacles during the DORA operation and may adjust frequency of collection during regular operation hours, if necessary. Establishments in the DORA that have liquor permits to serve alcohol on their premises shall maintain a trash receptacle of adequate size near the main entrance of the facility.
- DORA cups: All beer, wine or intoxicating liquor must be contained in the official cup of the DORA. Private property owners reserve the right to prohibit the consumption of alcohol on their property.
- Behavior: DORA participants are expected to follow all the rules of the DORA and maintain a decorum of good behavior, free of public drunkenness, property destruction, or any action that disrupts the enjoyment of another participant or disrupts any establishment, property owner, resident, visitor, passerby or patron within the DORA.
A public hearing to discuss the creation of a Designated Outdoor Refreshment area will be held on Monday, June 15, at 6 p.m., in the Council Chamber at the City Administrative Services Building. Those who want to address City Council during the actual public hearing may view the instructions below on how to join the meeting via Zoom. Public comment may also be submitted by email to councilclerk@bgohio.org or by mail addressed to Clerk of Council, 304 N. Church Street, Bowling Green, OH 43402.
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Meeting ID: 960 4574 7949
Password: 358317
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