New DORA proposal looks to expand outdoor drinking area to most of Downtown Dayton

DAYTON — A bigger outdoor drinking district could be coming to Dayton.

The Downtown Dayton Partnership submitted a petition to the city in March to create a new Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) in the city. A public hearing on the matter is scheduled to take place during Dayton’s next city commission meeting on Wednesday evening.

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Currently, the city has a DORA district in the Oregon District. A spokesperson for the Downtown Dayton Partnership told News Center 7 that the proposed new DORA would dissolve the Oregon District DORA’s and incorporate it into the new Downtown Dayton DORA.

The new proposed district would span from be “roughly bounded” by Wilkinson Street to the west, Riverscape MetroPark and the Great Miami River to the north, Keowee Street to the east and Sixth Street to the south.

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“All boundaries will be marked with metal signs signaling when guests enter and exit the DORA,” the spokesperson said.

Dozens of businesses, bars, and other restaurants would be included within the new boundary. Businesses that do not sell DORA beverages would be able to decide whether or not they would allow guests to carry DORA drinks in the establishment.

The spokesperson noted that DORA drinks may not be taken from one DORA-vending business to another.

It would operate seven days a week from noon to midnight, but Dayton Police or the city manager would be able to temporarily suspend the DORA for specific situations.

The next city commission meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

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