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EAST LIVERPOOL --The East Liverpool City Council's Licensing and Economic Development Committee discussed the possibility of establishing a drinking outdoor recreation area (DORA) for the downtown area during its meeting Wednesday.
Committee Chair John Mercer presented to the committee a news article on a DORA in other cities and how they work, a draft of a resolution with a map of the purposed DORA area, and a draft copy of an application.
Mercer said the proposed area would be between Third to Seventh streets, encompassing 51 acres.
Mercer noted that he feels this would be beneficial because it would allow someone who has purchased an alcoholic beverage at one of the downtown establishments who has decided they want to go see an art exhibit across the street from the point of purchase, they could take their drink with them provided the place they are going to allows it inside.
The drinks would be served in a special cup the customer would purchase and drinks only in these cups would be permitted outside the establishment. Downtown businesses would have stickers to place on their doors -- red to indicate outside drinks not permitted or green to indicate drinks are permitted outside.
Participation is up to downtown bars and restaurants; they do not have to take part if they do not wish to.
Mercer noted that the DORA protects the licenses of businesses downtown that sell alcohol, using the Diamond Bar and Grill as an example.
If someone is at the restaurant and walks outside with a beverage and the state would see that, it would put the restaurant's license at risk for an open container leaving the building. With the DORA in place, that risk is eliminated.
The days and hours the DORA will be permitted has yet to be determined
Mercer noted that Columbiana has had a DORA for about eight years and it has worked with for them and it would bring more people into the downtown area.
Mercer plans to iron out the details at the March committee meeting and present it to council for vote at the April council meeting. The council would then have to hold a public hearing on the issue. Mercer is hopeful it will pass into ordinance at the May council meeting.
The committee voted to send a piece of legislation onto council for a vote on a piece of legislation offering the county's support of the Ohio Commission for the United States Semi Quincentennial (America's 250th Birthday) which East Liverpool hopes to be a part of with the Point of Beginning located in the city.
The committee also discussed an amended piece of legislation regarding street opening fees and voted to send the legislation onto council for a vote.
kgarabrandt@mojonews.com