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Council creates Riverfront DORA and expands hours to support restaurants and market events
Summary
The Common Council approved a designated outdoor refreshment area (DORA) for the Farmers Market and Cumberland Park and extended allowed service hours to 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. for authorized vendors during events.
The West Lafayette Common Council approved a designated outdoor refreshment area (DORA) covering the Farmers Market and Cumberland Park on May 5, expanding allowable service hours and adjusting minimum-food requirements for vendors at market and park events.
What passed: The council approved a local ordinance establishing a DORA and extending operating hours to allow alcoholic beverage service from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. for authorized vendors during designated events. The ordinance also set a "minimum food" requirement for DORA vendors to include hot soups, hot sandwiches, coffee, milk or soft drinks; the language mirrors formulations used in other Indiana DORA programs and will require applicants to submit menus to the city and, as usual, to the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission.
Council concerns and safeguards: Several council members asked for stronger objective criteria for mayoral recommendation and suggested further refinement; staff noted the mayor provides a recommendation letter when a particular vendor applies and that the city will consult West Lafayette Police for character checks before supporting an application. Because a restaurant currently holds a liquor license that will expire in June, staff and some councilors requested the council approve the DORA ordinance now and consider technical edits at the June meeting, rather than delay and force a local business to forfeit service.
Outcome: The ordinance (DORA) passed on a council roll-call with 7 yeas and 1 nay; the council agreed to consider clarifying language at a future meeting to tighten application criteria and ensure the DORA supports sit-down restaurants rather than replicating a campus-bar atmosphere.
Ending: The DORA opens a pathway for the Farmers Market and Cumberland Park events to include coordinated beverage service. City staff said the mayor as the local recommending official will continue to vet applicants and the ATC will review license transfers as part of the state process.
