An event downtown on Fourth Street this weekend will highlight the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) district and bring people to the area who typically aren’t frequent patrons, organizers said.
The Columbus Board of Public Works and Safety on Tuesday backed a favorable recommendation made by the Community Events Group for ODDiversary, an Office of Downtown Development-organized event that will take place on Saturday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and feature two national touring bluegrass acts. Admission will be free.
Ike DeClue, executive director of the Office of Downtown Development, said ODDiversary is partly a celebration of the two-year anniversary of his office, but is aimed at generating some activity downtown on the weekend following Memorial Day when there isn’t a whole lot going on.
Described by DeClue as “proof of concept,” ODDiversary will take place on a closed-off western portion of Fourth Street, between Jackson and Fourth. One lane of Jackson Street will be closed as well, according to city documents.
A stage will be set up on Fourth Street between Taku Japanese Steakhouse and The Garage Pub where One Night Only will open and The Shiloh Band will headline. Each band “brings a vibrant blend of country and bluegrass, perfect for a festive evening downtown,” according to a description by organizers.
The event application states ODD is working with restaurants in the area to have bars serve DORA drinks and carry out food.
“We’ve talked to all the restaurants and bars, and so some of them will have temporary bars on their premises, on their patio space,” DeClue said. “So really all we’re doing is bringing a stage and a band, and letting everyone else reap the benefits of getting people downtown.”
The Garage Pub, Black Sheep Pizza and potentially Columbus Bar and Taku Japanese Steakhouse will have bars out front of each of their businesses, DeClue told board members.
“Most events that are thrown downtown, we have little temporary bars, temporary locations. So we kind of hope it’s a little overwhelming for the businesses, and then we know that the concept can work,” DeClue said. “Or maybe, the turnout’s not great or logistics are bad, and we need to rethink how we do it.”
The DORA, referred to as the Columbus Downtown Social District, is a designated area where those of-age can buy alcoholic drinks downtown and carry them around within the boundaries of the district.
City officials have said they are hopeful the DORA, which went into effect last November, will boost tourism, increase revenue and energize the downtown.
