The Athens Designated Outdoor Recreation Area (DORA) enjoyed a soft opening last weekend, and stakeholders are looking to have a true kick-off this weekend.
The DORA, which allows residents and visitors to carry alcoholic beverages in marked cups in certain parts of the city, was passed by Athens City Council last month.
Several people carrying DORA cups could be observed last week, some stopping by The Plains Lions Club cruise-in that was held on Court Street on Friday.
Dani Underhill, president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce, said last weekâs soft opening of the DORA âworked out pretty well.â
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Athens City Council in committee on Monday heard a proposal from the Athens Uptown Business Association (AUBA) that lobbied the body to approve legislation that would limit open container restrictions Uptown and allow patrons to bring alcoholic beverages out of bars and onto the streets.
The provision, called a designated outdoor refreshment area, or a DORA, has been adopted by many cities across Ohio, Athens Mayor Steve Patterson said, and could give Athens the ability to finely adjust open container laws at the discretion of city leaders, allowing for example outdoor drinking only in certain zones during select seasons of the year.