Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Wooster council opens first reading on expansion of downtown DORA (designated outdoor refreshment area)
Summary
Council held a first reading May 19 to renew and expand the city's designated outdoor refreshment area downtown, proposing expanded boundaries and daily hours of 10 a.m.–11 p.m.
Council members on May 19 heard the first reading of an ordinance to renew and expand the city's designated outdoor refreshment area (commonly called DORA) established in 2020.
Under the proposed expansion, DORA hours would change from the current 4 p.m.–11 p.m. Monday–Friday and 10 a.m.–11 p.m. on weekends to 10 a.m.–11 p.m. seven days a week. The expansion would also extend the mapped boundaries to include the Lyric Theater, connecting alleyways and the Chamber of Commerce and Main Street offices downtown.
"Back in 2020, the city established a designated outdoor refreshment area... If this is approved, the expansion would set the DORA hours to 10AM to 11PM 7 days a week," Ms. Wharton summarized during the first reading. She said the police department had been informed of the proposal and shared no concerns.
When asked about public-safety incidents during the program's five years, a city representative said, "We've had 0 incidents before." Council members agreed the program has been commercially successful downtown and decided to keep the ordinance on first reading to allow the absent sponsor and police representatives to speak at a later meeting. Per Ohio Revised Code requirements cited by staff, a fuller review and required readings will continue; staff scheduled further discussion and a public hearing per statutory timelines.
