YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – People enjoying entertainment in downtown Youngstown will soon be able to enjoy alcoholic drinks outside in designated areas.
The city announced Wednesday that the Ohio Division of Liquor Control approved a DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area) for downtown. The approval is the final step in the process, allowing the city to have DORA in place by the end of the year.
A Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) is a specified area of land that a local municipality has designated as exempt from certain open container provisions
The DORA in Youngstown will generally begin on West Commerce Street, between North Hazel Street and Wick Avenue and extend south past West Front Street, between South Hazel and Market streets and include the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheater.
The areas will be active on Thursdays and Fridays from 4 -11 p.m., Saturdays from 12-11 p.m. and during special downtown events designated by the city. The first event will be Friday, De. 6 for the annual downtown Christmas parade and tree lighting.
“This is one more exciting step towards creating a dynamic environment that people want to visit and will bring a windfall by helping increase traffic for our businesses, attract events to the Covelli Centre and amphitheater, and bring needed tax revenue to the city,” said Mayor Tito Brown.
Youngstown will now join 160 cities across Ohio that have DORA in place and have seen significant economic impact from it, according to a news release from the City.
It will be free for businesses to participate in DORA thanks to the sponsorship of 717 Credit Union.
