CANTON – City council is set to consider a proposal to reapprove and expand the downtown Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA).
A public hearing is set for 7 p.m. June 1 during the council meeting.
The DORA, a public area where open-container laws are relaxed, would expand by approximately 0.4 acres to 72.7 total if approved, according to city officials. The area sits within Canton’s Special Improvement District.
The proposed addition, contingent to the current downtown DORA, encompasses Second Street NE from Walnut Avenue to Cherry Avenue, including properties along Cherry; Second Street to Fourth Street NE, and back west toward Walnut Avenue, according to the city’s DORA application.
At the time of the proposal, the only business that would be added to the district is Darlin’s CREW at 304 Cherry Ave. NE, however, any business with a liquor license inside the district can apply for a permit.
Patrons may buy an alcoholic beverage from a qualified permit holder in a designated cup, leave and continue drinking outdoors within boundaries.
The proposal includes a safety plan, which increases police presence at downtown events and caps the speed limit at 25 mph. There is also a plan to maintain 58 signs marking the beginning and ends of the DORA. The proposal includes 31 qualified permit holders downtown, including restaurants, bars and other alcohol-serving businesses.
At a May 11 council meeting, Safety Director Andrea Perry said the goal of the expansion is to align with the city’s 2025 comprehensive plan with economic development in mind.
Canton’s DORA was first established in April 2016 and reauthorized in 2021. Under state law, it must be reviewed every five years.
At the May 11 meeting, Councilman Frank Morris expressed concerns over potential crime in the area.
“I didn’t support this the first time and I’m still pretty adamant not to allow people to walk through our city streets carrying alcoholic beverages,” he said.
Councilman Bill Smuckler asked if there was any way to measure the success of the current DORA.
“I think the measure is the number of individuals coming downtown to enjoy our events and the success that our police department has enforced the DORA district,” Director of Planning Donn Angus said. “To me, from an economic development standpoint, planning standpoint, it’s beyond a success.”
The Downtown Canton Special Improvement District pays for, prints and distributes approximately 50,000 to 75,000 cups per year, according to the Downtown Canton Partnership. Two thousand cups are provided to each establishment for free and cost $100 per 1,000-cup case afterward.
Council members are expected to vote on the measure June 1.
Contact Abreanna Blose by email at ablose@usatodayco.com or by phone at 330-580-8513.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: More room to drink downtown? Canton eyes modest DORA expansion
Reporting by Abreanna Blose, Canton Repository / The Repository
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