Evansville city council approves ordinance for outdoor drinking area downtown
City council members unanimously voted and approved an ordinance tonight, clearing the way for the city to create a designated outdoor refreshment area, or DORA in downtown Evansville.
'It seems like a very exciting addition to our community,' says Ben Trockman, the Evansville City Council president.
City leaders say it will help local businesses grow. Adam Trinkle, the Downtown Evansville Economic Improvement District Executive Director, presented the ordinance before the city council. He says he got the idea after seeing the success of DORA in other Hoosier communities, like Fort Wayne and Noblesville.
'DORAs attract foot traffic, benefiting restaurants, bars, retail shops, entertainment, and other spaces. This activity leads to increased sales, job creation, and a stronger local economy through revenue and increased sales tax revenue,' says Trinkle.
Trinkle says the current outline is intentional and is designed to include a wide range of businesses downtown. It begins at the corner of Northwest 1st Street and Riverside Drive, following the curve of the riverfront up to the Pigeon Creek Greenway passage until Mickey's Kingdom Park.
Mary Allen is on the city council and says many constituents are on board with the idea, but adds she has seen some safety concerns.
'I have had several constituents text me and are in support of it. And I have seen some concerns on social media about potential crime, public intoxication, and those types of things. But histories that other cities have implemented show this not to be true,' she says.
Trinkle says the area would have time restrictions. It would be open from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weeknights and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends. If approved, the DORA hours of operation would be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily between the months of June and July. Trinkle also says all entrances and exits would have signs.
'It is a clear indicator to folks who come into the DORA, that they can't bring an outdoor beverage or for folks who are exciting the DORA that they can't leave with that beverage,' Trinkle says.
All of the drinks would be in special cups, which Trinkle says would be recycled. He says the next step is working on permit applications through the Alcohol and Tabacco Commission. He hopes to have the area open sometime this spring.
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