Council adopts plan for downtown DORA district

Source: City of Huntington’s Website

Huntington’s City Council approved a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, or DORA that will be in effect during some special events starting in 2025. The final vote was 5-2.

Huntington’s approach to DORA differs from other communities that have enacted the districts by activating it only during approved special events. Each instance will be subject to approval by the Board of Public Works & Safety. Event organizers can opt not to request DORA activation if it is not needed or desired during their event.

Indiana Code 7.1-3-31 authorizes municipalities to create a DORA district in which adults who are at least 21 years old may purchase alcoholic beverages from approved vendors and carry them outside to be consumed within set boundaries.

The Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission preliminarily reviewed Huntington’s draft proposal and provided invaluable direction and guidance. The agency’s website lists 23 Indiana communities, besides Huntington, that have enacted a DORA.

In back-and-forth discussions about the ordinance during the September 10 Council meeting, Police Chief Cory Boxell told council members that he had spoken with law enforcement in many of these communities to learn about their experiences with DORA.

“To be honest with you, what I gathered from them is very, very little negative feedback,” Chief Boxell said. “A lot of them went into the DORA with legitimate concerns much like we’ve heard expressed here this evening so far, but the truth of the matter is what they have seen has been very minimal.”

Signage will be posted throughout the DORA to remind residents and visitors about the applicable rules and regulations. At their discretion, businesses and other establishments within the DORA district may choose to prohibit alcoholic beverages from being carried onto their premises.

Other important rules include:

• No person may consume an alcoholic beverage within the DORA area that was purchased outside of it.
• Only non-breakable plastic cups or bottles affixed with a logo or label identifying it for use in the DORA may be carried.
• Glass containers may not be removed from indoor or outdoor dining areas.

Along with developing plans to activate the riverfront area, DORA is a part of broader efforts that have been successful in other communities to revitalize downtown Huntington.

“It is worth reminding Council and the public that the Downtown Master Plan that was completed last fall with a great deal of public input, as well as outside consultants, did include this as a recommendation for consideration,” Mayor Richard Strick said during the September 10 Council meeting.

Next, the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission will review Huntington’s DORA proposal for formal approval.