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Evansville council approves downtown designated outdoor refreshment area
Summary
The Evansville Common Council unanimously adopted an ordinance creating a downtown Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA), outlining boundaries, signage, cup rules and public-safety measures; downtown business leaders said the program aims to boost foot traffic and revenue.
The Evansville Common Council on Feb. 10 unanimously adopted an ordinance establishing a downtown Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, or DORA, authorizing alcohol to be carried and consumed in specified public areas during set hours.
The downtown Evansville Economic Improvement District’s representative, Adam Trinkle, told council the DORA is intended to increase foot traffic and benefit restaurants, bars, retail and event venues. “It’s a catalyst for economic growth and continues our efforts to build a more active and inclusive and vibrant downtown atmosphere,” Trinkle said.
The ordinance sets a mapped boundary around core downtown blocks, including Main Street and the riverfront, and includes provisions for time limits, designated cups and signage at entry and exit points. Trinkle said the DORA will require clear perimeter signage and that organizers have arranged for in-kind cup donations and plan to add recycle receptacles. “We will be working to add recycle receptacles as well because we recognize that’s an important piece of this,” he said.
Council members who spoke in support noted outreach to other Indiana cities that operate DORAs and said they saw no evidence of increased crime in those peer programs. Councilwoman Carruthers said organizers provided multiple examples and a safety plan; Councilman Brinkmeyer cited positive feedback from Fort Wayne’s program. Trinkle said the group consulted peers including Downtown Fort Wayne, Noblesville and Dayton and that those cities “unequivocally said they would do it again.”
Under state law cited in the ordinance (IC 7-13-31), a municipality may establish designated outdoor refreshment areas; Trinkle told the council any neighborhood can later seek its own DORA and that the state statute allows up to seven DORAs in a single municipality. He said the EID will fund signage and some safety elements and noted the organization pays for additional downtown police patrols.
The vote was 9–0. The ordinance’s sponsor said the group will next proceed with the state Alcohol and Tobacco Commission application and implementation tasks with a goal of launching in spring.
Questions from council members covered boundary marking, signage, funding for cups and recycling containers and whether other neighborhoods could seek DORA status in future. Trinkle said boundaries are set in the ordinance and can be amended later, and that signage will be placed at each entry and exit to the area.
