Coronavirus: Patrons, shop owners enjoy safe, socially distanced ’Out on Fifth’ in Oregon District

DAYTON — (UPDATE @ 11 p.m.): People who ventured out to eat and shop at the very first night of Out on Fifth in Dayton’s Oregon District said they felt safe and that everyone respected social distancing.

“I think it’s really great,” Erin Luehrs of Dayton told News Center 7′s Monica Castro on Friday night. “Everything feels socially distanced and safe.”

Brandi Perrine, general manager at Salar restaurant and lounge, said, “this patio extension’s going to be great for everyone, I think.”

The Oregon District Business Association pilot program, a weekend-only closure of Fifth Street in the district to support expanded outdoor seating, continues every weekend through the end of October. The closures feature extended patio areas at Oregon District businesses, community tables for public seating, acoustic music and other entertainment and special sales events.

Public Health -- Dayton & Montgomery County had extra staff in various areas to make sure rules on social distancing and face masks were being followed.

The Out on 5th pedestrian promenade continues through 10 p.m. Sunday.

EARLIER REPORT

The Oregon District Business Association pilot program Out on 5th, a weekend-only closure of Fifth Street in the district to support expanded outdoor seating, starts tonight and will continue every weekend through the end of October.

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The weekend closures will feature extended patio areas at Oregon District businesses, community tables for public seating, acoustic music and other entertainment and special sales events.

The Out on 5th pedestrian promenade will begin at 5 p.m. every Friday and continue through 10 p.m. Sunday.

Along with the street closures, the Oregon District will enact the new Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA), which allows patrons to buy an alcoholic beverage served in a branded cup and relax outdoors in the pedestrian mall.

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When you visit Out on 5th, remember:

• All the same cleanliness standards Oregon District businesses use inside their shops and restaurants will be applied to their bonus outdoor spaces -- including the public seating areas. Hand sanitizer stations will be placed throughout the District. You’ll also find social distancing and mask wearing reminders throughout the district.
• All guests are asked to wear masks when entering an establishment, and outdoors when appropriate social distance spacing between yourself, your party and other guests cannot be maintained.
• While Fifth Street is closed, there are parking options around the perimeter of the Oregon District. There are more than 200 FREE on-street parking spaces along Wayne Avenue, Bainbridge Street, Jones Street, Walnut Street, and Fourth Street (on the eastern end of the District), plus metered parking spaces along Patterson Boulevard, Jefferson Street, and Stone Street on the western perimeter. Meters are free after 6 p.m. weekdays and all day on the weekends and holidays. The lot at Greater Dayton Premier Management is also free after 5 p.m. weekdays and on weekends.
• You also can park in the Oregon District Parking Garage, near the Convention Center, for $1 after 6 p.m. or use the large lots at Fifth and Wayne.
• The city will close Fifth Street in the area of Out on 5th beginning each Friday at 3 p.m., and the road will remain closed through early Monday mornings* (see the map that accompanies this article.) The official traffic detours take drivers around the closure using Patterson Boulevard to Fourth Street to Wayne Avenue (and reverse).
• If you plan on using a ride share service, drivers will not be able to access you if you’re in the areas where the road is closed. The following locations are suggested for pick up or drop off: 309 E. Fifth St. (the Omega Music/Thai 9 parking lot); 307 Wayne Avenue (the corner of Fifth Street at Wayne Avenue), 98 Gates Street (the parking lots behind Ned Pepper’s and Hole in the Wall)

To start the weekend and the new DORA, the ODBA will participate in the Downtown Sidewalk Sale event starting on First Friday, Sept. 4, and extending into Sept. 5. Shops and restaurants across downtown Dayton will create an on-street presence with display racks and trunk sales.

Guest artisan merchants from around the Miami Valley will complement the atmosphere. Live entertainment and local artwork will punctuate the experience.

PLEASE NOTE: The Fifth Street closure on Labor Day weekend will extend through the early morning of Tuesday, Sept. 8, because of the Labor Day holiday.

Cox Media Group