City staff announced on July 7 that three designated outdoor refreshment areas (DORAs) are now in effect after the city completed the required mapping, business outreach and state-level approvals.

Amber Green, director of communications for the city, told the council that the ordinance authorizing DORAs (previously approved as ordinance 20-624) required administrative follow-through: the administration and a DORA committee worked with planning, public-safety and business owners to map boundaries, create signage and materials, and guide participating businesses through state Alcohol and Tobacco Commission applications.

Green said the implementation timeline was intentional to have the DORAs operational for the Ironman event that weekend. She told the council that roughly half of the affected businesses attended informational workshops, that maps and signage are available on the city website and at participating businesses, and that city staff assisted businesses with application paperwork.

Why it matters: DORAs allow people to carry certain alcoholic beverages in approved cups within a mapped area, subject to the rules the council adopted. The launch is intended to support economic and cultural activity during events while requiring enforcement and safety protocols.

Next steps: city staff will monitor operations and compliance and coordinate with public safety and participating businesses. Council members praised the administration for meeting the timeline and recommended continued coordination with business owners and enforcement personnel.

Details: Green said the DORA packet, maps and training materials are posted at muncie.in.gov/dora and that staff remain available for business questions and enforcement procedures.