Marietta City Council Passes DORA Proposal

MARIETTA, OH — Yesterday in a vote of 6-1, Marietta City Council approved a resolution that paves the way for a DORA (designated outdoor refreshment area). What this means is that once preparations have been made, there will be streets in downtown Marietta and the Harmar district where folks can drink alcohol outside.

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Marietta Main Street's Executive Director Christie Thomas explains what this means for the people of Marietta. "As a guest of downtown, I can come down and come to a DORA establishment," which is a participating bar or restaurant, "and I can get a drink in a DORA cup." She says to expect to pay a one-dollar fee for the cup. "I can take that drink outside with me (on Fridays and Saturdays from 5-10 pm), and stroll around look at the river, shop at retailers that allow DORA drinks inside of their establishments. And just enjoy my time downtown." If you want a second drink you have to dispose of the cup and get a new one, they are not refillable.

Marietta Mayor Josh Schilcher has been championing this project for some time now. Now that it has the city's official stamp of approval, this means that signs need to go up around downtown Marietta showing where the DORA boundaries are. The DORA will only be active between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Folks would only be allowed to drink out of designated cups purchased at designated establishments. There are 19 bars and restaurants inside the DORA zone which could qualify to sell alcohol out of these designated cups.

There will be penalties for folks trying to get around the rules of drinking inside the DORA. A first offense would likely be a warning, a second would likely be an open container misdemeanor. There will be a Marietta Police Officer designated on duty in the DORA, during DORA times. Thomas says this is important. "We want to make sure people are using it for the ways they should be, which is to enjoy our town, stay longer, support local, not acting like a fool and ruining it for anyone."

Thomas says they hope to have the DORA up and running by Memorial Day. "I'm really thrilled. It's been more than a year of advocacy, information sharing, work done by downtown businesses." She says the community is really going to enjoy it. She says there are more than 30 Ohio communities that already have a DORA and it is successful everywhere. "It's been an increase in revenue for businesses, increase in tourism for the town, just an increase in the quality of life for folks who want to enjoy a drink, enjoy our river views, and spend a little money on our downtown shop owners." She says there will likely be some kinks, but they remain confident that they'll iron those out and make this a good thing for all.

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