Photo provided A graphic showing designated boundaries for the DORA district.
An area downtown where of-age community members will be able to buy alcoholic drinks and carry them around will go into effect next weekend.
The city’s Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA), to be known as the Columbus Downtown Social District, received the required sign-off from the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission (ATC) and will be in effect starting Dec. 7, according to Ike DeClue, executive director, Office of Downtown Development.
Starting in July of 2023, state law has given municipalities the ability to create DORAs, where those 21 and older may buy alcoholic beverages from approved vendors and retail establishments and carry them outside to be consumed within the DORA boundaries.
Columbus City Council members approved the establishment of the DORA earlier this year. The Columbus Downtown Social District will be operational seven days a week, 365 days a year, from 10 a.m. to midnight, according to the ordinance establishing the DORA.
So far, 29 other Indiana communities have taken advantage and created DORAs of their own, according to the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission website.
The boundaries of the DORA will be designated with signs and spots that take part in the Downtown Columbus Social District will have “a window cling” displayed near their entrance.
Several local business owners came to the council meeting during the first reading of the ordinance establishing the DORA on Aug. 20 to express their support, saying that it would promote more foot traffic downtown, in turn support local businesses there and overall improve and give a boost to the atmosphere of the area.
Some general rules of the DORA, outlined in the ordinance are:
- A person may consume an alcoholic beverage from a designated permittee or vendor anywhere within the refreshment area boundaries, subject to the right of any retailer permittee or business within the refreshment area to refuse to allow people to enter their premises with an alcoholic beverage.
- All designated permittees and vendors may allow a person to exit the designated permittee’s or vendor’s licensed premises with not more than two open containers of an alcoholic beverage at a time.
- A person may not consume an alcoholic beverage within the refreshment area that was purchased outside the refreshment area.
- Alcoholic beverages must be contained in a designated Downtown Columbus Social District Cup or an approved container affixed with a Downtown Columbus Social District decal.
- Glass containers may only be allowed in a designated permittee’s outdoor dining area and may not be removed into the Downtown Columbus Social District.
The following retailer permittees have submitted a complete application to the city to participate as a designated permittee:
1. ZwanzigZ Pizza, 1038 Lafayette Ave.
2. ZwanzigZ Taproom, 315 12th St.
3. Thai Connection, 527 Washington St.
4. Henry Social Club, 423 Washington St.
5. Swine & Dine, 412 Washington St.
6. 4th Street Bar & Grill, 433 Fourth St.
7. Black Sheep Pizza, 318 Washington St.
8. The Columbus Bar, 322 Fourth St.
9. Taku Japanese Steakhouse, 305 Fourth St.
10. The Garage Pub, 308 Fourth St.
11. Upland Pumphouse, 148 Lindsey St.
Those that hold a temporary beer or wine permit, a supplemental catering permit, or a craft manufacturer’s permit that want to be designated as a vendor and granted a temporary vendor designation to participate in a special event held within the refreshment area can submit a special event permit application and state DORA designation form on each occasion. Those would then be weighed for approval by the Columbus Board of Works.
Temporary vendor locations:
1. Sixth Street Arts Alley
2. Fourth and Jackson streets
3. Fourth and Washington streets
4. Fourth and Washington streets
5. Fourth and Franklin streets
6. Washington Street, between Fourth and Fifth streets
7. Proposed plaza on People Trail connection
8. Mill Race Park near Amphitheatre
9. Mill Race Park west of parking lot
