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Elkhart council approves downtown DORA ordinance, setting hours and vendor rules amid legal questions
Summary
The Elkhart Common Council approved an ordinance to create a downtown Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA), allowing participating businesses to sell alcoholic beverages in approved unbreakable cups within a defined boundary and set hours. Council and staff noted unresolved state‑law questions about open‑container enforcement.
The Elkhart Common Council on Feb. 2 approved an ordinance establishing a designated outdoor refreshment area, or DORA, in the city’s downtown central business district, allowing participating vendors to sell alcoholic beverages in approved unbreakable DORA cups and permitting patrons to carry those drinks within the mapped boundaries during set hours.
Talia Mora, economic development specialist, told the council the proposed DORA is designed to “enhance the downtown experience in a responsible and well‑regulated way,” and described the proposed hours as noon–10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and noon–11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Mora said about 16 downtown businesses have expressed interest in participating and that vendor applications will be reviewed first by the Board of Public Works and then by the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission for final approval.
Council members…
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