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Council renews, expands downtown 'DORA' outdoor refreshment area
Summary
Worcester City Council approved a five-year renewal and modest expansion of the city's Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA), extending hours and enlarging the footprint after Main Street Worcester and the Chamber of Commerce reported no public-safety issues in five years of operation.
Worcester City Council voted to renew and expand the city's Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, commonly called DORA, which allows patrons to carry alcoholic beverages within marked downtown boundaries.
The ordinance, introduced by Councilor Maisie Wharton, extends the DORA hours to 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week, and expands the mapped footprint to include areas west past TJ's to the Chamber of Commerce building, east past JFB to Pittsburgh Avenue and north along Liberty Street to include the old jail. "We want to continue that," said Shannon Waller, executive director of Main Street Worcester, describing the program's pandemic-era origins and the “very positive” business impact. Samara Zimmerly, president and CEO of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce, said restaurants requested earlier daytime hours to accommodate daytime visitors and that police reported no enforcement issues.
Council took a roll-call vote after a motion by Wharton and a second from Mr. Abernathy. Council members present voted yes; the motion was adopted.
Ending: The ordinance will remain in effect for the five-year review period set by city code; the police department reported no objections during the hearing.
