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Neenah council approves downtown DORA after weeks of public debate
Summary
The Neenah Common Council approved Resolution 2025-04 to establish a designated outdoor refreshment area (DORA) in the downtown, allowing open containers in a defined area from noon to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday; an amendment to restrict hours to summer evenings failed 3–6.
The Neenah Common Council voted 6–3 on June 4 to approve Resolution 2025-04 establishing a designated outdoor refreshment area, or DORA, in the downtown. The adopted resolution sets hours from 12:00 noon to 10:00 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
Residents and business advocates filled the council chamber and the public forum with opposing views in advance of the vote. Scribe Becker, who identified his address as 1061 Green Acres Lane, urged the council to return the proposal to committee, saying, "I would recommend sending the DORA District Resolution back to committee where more input and some of these issues can be worked out." Future Neenah and its representatives supported the plan; a Future Neenah speaker said, "DORA isn't about beverages, it's about creating a destination," and argued the policy would increase foot traffic and benefit downtown businesses.
Councilmembers debated an amendment that would have limited DORA hours to May 1–Aug. 31 and a 4 p.m. start time. Alderman Borchardt moved the original resolution; the amendment to limit hours to summer evenings failed on a 3–6 roll call. After further discussion the council approved the original resolution by a 6–3 vote.
Supporters said prior temporary DORA events showed the concept can work without the problems some opponents forecast. Alderman Steiner said the prior events "have gone very well" and noted the city could terminate the DORA if problems arise. Opponents warned the measure would increase public drinking and disorderly conduct; several speakers compared the proposal to incidents reported in nearby communities and asked for special exceptions for family-focused events such as the city's holiday celebration.
Council members and staff also noted operational distinctions between temporary, event-specific T-DORA permits and the permanent DORA resolution under consideration. Alderman Lundrum cautioned that the DORA is not the same as the earlier temporary events and said the longer, year-round proposal "is nowhere near the same." The council did not adopt any additional exceptions at tonight's vote.
The resolution passed and can be reviewed by the council and rescinded if enforcement or public-safety concerns arise, according to members who supported the measure. The resolution text and implementation procedures are on file with the city clerk's office and the city web site.
