WESTFIELD, Ind. — People living in or visiting Westfield may soon be able to carry open alcoholic beverages in the city's downtown corridor.
According to a press release, the Westfield City Council is considering an ordinance that would establish a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) in the downtown corridor.
DORAs are set areas in which people over 21 years of age can purchase alcoholic beverages in marked containers and carry them around. Beverages must be purchased from participating businesses within the DORA.
“DORAs enhance opportunities for walkable downtowns and community engagement in outdoor settings, and we are excited to be pursuing approval for one in our downtown area that is prime for development,” Westfield Mayor Scott Willis said via release. “We know this will be a positive economic driver for our downtown restaurants.”
The City of Westfield has already created several regulations for its proposed DORA:
- Only specific plastic cups with a DORA logo on them can be used to carry open alcoholic beverages
- A maximum of two drinks can be served at a time
- DORA beverages are only allowed within DORA boundaries
- Exit signage will be posted near DORA boundaries to make it clear that open alcoholic beverages will not be allowed outside the DORA
Westfield's proposed DORA would be in effect all year. Carrying open alcoholic drinks, however, would only be allowed from noon to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Sunday.
The city also hopes to require patrons to dispose of DORA containers before they enter any restaurant or bar. Per Westfield's release, DORA beverages must be disposed of before entering any other bar or restaurant, even those participating in the DORA.
Under the city's proposal, businesses would be required to display signs that read "DORA beverages are not permitted."
Nine businesses located within the proposed DORA's boundaries have already applied to be part of it. Additional businesses can be added to Westfield's list of DORA locations via city council resolutions. The city indicated that such resolutions would be reviewed on a quarterly basis.
Westfield's DORA ordinance will be eligible for adoption at a June 24 meeting of the city's council. That meeting is slated to begin at 7 p.m.
The Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission (ATC) has already approved DORA proposals in 13 cities in the Hoosier State.
More information on Westfield's proposed DORA is available here.