Business leaders on board for new DORA in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Adults of legal drinking age could soon be able to walk around parts of downtown Columbus and Franklinton with a drink in hand.

On Monday, Columbus City Council approved the implementation of DORA—which stands for designated outdoor refreshment area – for parts of Downtown. The state still needs to approve this idea before it can officially start.

Isabella Haugh is the kitchen manager at Bostons in the Arena District. Right now, the district’s DORA is only allowed on event nights. Haugh said she’s seen the impact.

“We get so many more groups of people coming in now because, as you see, we kind of are a little limited with our seating,” Haugh said. “So the DORA has been awesome just to see more faces.”

She thinks it’s smart of the city to expand the DORA to Downtown and Franklinton.

“I think it's a great opportunity for all the local businesses in the area, just going to give everybody more opportunities to meet more customers,” Haugh said.

The new rules would allow people to drink alcohol in an approved DORA cup from participating vendors and walk within the boundaries, which will stretch from Fourth Street into Franklinton.

It’s being called the Center City DORA. Madison Cole, the director of communications for Downtown Columbus Inc., thinks it will make the city more walkable and will bring more vibrancy to these areas of the city.

“This is something we heard directly from the community, that Downtown had done a really good job with events and festivals, but there needs to be more daily, consistent activity and the DORA does just that,” Cole said.

Spokespeople for Hilliard and Gahanna, which have established DORAs, said they have not dealt with bad behavior related to the policies.

“We actually feel like the DORA is going to do a great job enhancing the sense of safety because there's going to be more people walking around,” Cole said.

The DORA would operate seven days a week from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. If approved by the state, it will take effect on May 24.