Steering committee identifies key goals of DORA

A final ordinance to establish a downtown Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, or DORA, in Rochester has been shared with the city council for review. First and second readings are to occur at the council's next meeting, 6 p.m. Nov. 26 at Rochester City Hall, with a third reading and vote set for the council's meeting in December.

As the Rochester City Council continues to consider establishing a downtown Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, or DORA, a steering committee has released information in support of the proposal. 

Effective July 1, 2023, Indiana Code authorizes municipalities to create a DORA, allowing individuals who are at least 21 years old to purchase alcoholic beverages from approved vendors and retail establishments and carry them outside to be consumed within the DORA boundaries.

A steering committee has identified 25 active DORAs in the state, with more in process. It also identified key goals and target audiences for a DORA. 

Key goals include business support to create an environment downtown where people want to spend time and support local businesses, revitalization to support the continual growth of the historic downtown and quality of life to create a livable, walkable downtown and Main Street with opportunities to shop, work, live and play. 

Target audiences for a DORA include out-of-town visitors, locals wanting to support downtown and owners of restaurants and businesses. 

"Having a downtown DORA allows the creation of events that will attract visitors to Rochester, provides more events for locals, and more intentionally supports the financial investment our restaurant and business owners have put into our downtown," a fact sheet from the steering committee states. 

The committee additionally notes that the proposed DORA boundaries were set with a focus on safe travel between downtown restaurants. 

In August, the council got its first look at a draft ordinance to establish a DORA in the city's downtown. It was presented by Councilwoman Amy Roe, with the support of nine downtown establishments. Roe also shared with fellow council members a separate, but related DORA ordinance specifically pertaining to special events downtown. That one has since been nixed. 

"We feel that doesn't meet expectations of the concerns of the citizens, so we've decided to put that on the shelf," Roe said of a special events DORA at the council's meeting in October. 

At its meeting in September, the council was met with a standing-room-only crowd, taking comments both for and against the proposal. 

Speaking in favor of a DORA were Alissa Ferro, owner of Uncorked; Harry Webb, president of the Rochester Downtown Partnership (RDP); Jared Tyler, a managing partner of Tip A Canoe Brews; Brice Romine, owner of Jarrety's Place and Arlington Public House; Monica Smith, owner of Putt's Bar & Grill; Julie Shambarger, executive director of the Times Theater and RDP; and Councilwoman Ruth Gunter, owner of Ruthless Bar & Patio and Evergreen Eatery.

Those to speak in opposition included four local pastors, Bill McSpadden, Rob Ruberg, Don Meyer and Terry Baldwin, as well as a local teacher, mother, veteran and assistant pastor. 

In October, Roe additionally shared proposed hours for the DORA as: 4-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday; and 11 a.m.-midnight Friday and Saturday. There would be no DORA on Sundays. 

Mayor Trent Odell has asked the council to consider not allowing for a DORA during family events, such as Boofest or the Holiday Stroll. 

The steering committee notes that a final ordinance has been shared with the council for consideration. First and second readings are to occur at the council's next meeting, 6 p.m. Nov. 26 at Rochester City Hall. A third reading and subsequent vote are expected to occur at the council's December meeting. 

If approved, the DORA must be submitted to the state for approval by the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission.

A map showing the boundaries of a proposed Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area in downtown Rochester.