Plan for outdoor refreshment area in Fort Wayne moves forward
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The city of Fort Wayne will now be able to establish designated outdoor refreshment areas, or DORAs, following the approval Tuesday by the Fort Wayne Common Council.
DORAs allow people to carry drinks out of a bar and walk around with them within the area’s boundaries, and our partners at WPTA-TV report the city’s first one has already been outlined for the downtown area.
The designated area runs from Promenade Park south to Parkview Field through the Harrison Street corridor. Approximately 15 bars and restaurants are included within the DORA’s boundaries.
“This law does just one thing. It allows people to carry a drink out of a bar into the streets and walk around,” Fort Wayne Redevelopment Administrator Joe Giant told WPTA. “It doesn’t change who can buy drinks, who can sell drinks, or how you can behave if you’ve had drinks. Illegal behavior that occurs today would still be illegal tomorrow.”
The establishment of DORAs is the result of a state law that took effect this summer. Inside INdiana Business reported in August that several Hoosier cities were already exploring the option as a means to support outdoor festivals and attract people into downtown spaces.
Fort Wayne’s downtown area will have special rules regarding how large the drinks carried outside can be, having only two drinks at a time, and the special cups the drinks must be in.
But Downtown Fort Wayne Director of Marketing Preston Wallace told WPTA the city’s ruling requires approval from the state before it can be implemented.
Giant said the city’s goal is to have the DORA in place by early March.