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Council advances DORA concept in second reading, councilmembers preview pilot and operational controls
Summary
A second-reading proposal to permit designated outdoor refreshment areas (DORAs) in parts of downtown was discussed. Sponsors said the change would allow controlled street drinking during specified events provided state rules (tamper-evident containers, limits on crossing into other licensed premises) are followed; councilmembers suggested a William Street pilot.
A council sponsor presented a second-reading ordinance to authorize designated outdoor refreshment areas (DORAs) in defined downtown footprints, saying the change would allow licensed businesses to provide tamper-evident containers that customers may carry into certain streets during permitted events.
The sponsor said the update was requested by the downtown business association to encourage safer, lawful drinking at events such as Friday Night Live, while preserving restrictions required by state law. "This ordinance does not reference Friday Night Live specifically," the sponsor said, but it would permit similar events if organizers obtain a special event permit and comply with state tamper-evident requirements.
City attorney Brian reminded the council that the ordinance would not supersede state alcohol laws: businesses must issue tamper-evident sealed containers or sell unopened, originally sealed containers for customers to remove from premises. Staff and WDBA representatives discussed doing a smaller pilot (the William Street Festival in August) before broad deployment and noted that event organizers — not general city staff — would absorb most operational costs and coordination.
Councilmembers asked practical questions about where the DORA footprint would start and end, how extension-of-premises rules interact with sidewalks and whether additional policing or cleanup costs would be required. The item remains at second reading; staff and the WDBA will refine maps and operational details ahead of the third reading.
What happens next: The sponsor and staff will refine the DORA maps and consider a limited pilot before the final vote.
