Huntington proposes outdoor refreshment area starting at the South curb line of Park Drive, east curb line of Cherry Street, south bank of the Little River, west curb line of Warren Street, except for the three buildings on the west side of Warren Street between Market and Washington streets. Courtesy of City of Huntington
Huntington proposes outdoor refreshment area starting at the South curb line of Park Drive, east curb line of Cherry Street, south bank of the Little River, west curb line of Warren Street, except for the three buildings on the west side of Warren Street between Market and Washington streets. Courtesy of City of Huntington
HUNTINGTON — Huntington City Common Council received a proposed designated outdoor refreshment ordinance at the Aug. 27 council meeting.

Twenty-one communities in Indiana have them explained council Member President Charlie Chapman, and the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission looked at the city’s proposal and approved it.

The Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) zone ordinance was presented for council members to review before the first reading vote on the measure slated for the city council’s Sept. 10 meeting. Mayor Strick also assured the council that it was reviewed by the state and the ATC, and it could be amended for changes by council members during the ordinance readings process.

The map provided as part of the ordinance shows the area is the South curb line of Park Drive, east curb line of Cherry Street, south bank of the Little River, west curb line of Warren Street, except for the three buildings on the west side of Warren Street between Market and Washington streets.

In Huntington’s case, it will only be during special events hours, with a DORA cup as identified by state law. Strick added that it only allows events and businesses in the designated area already approved by Alcohol and Tobacco Commission rules.

The events listed in the proposal are Heritage Days, Music in the City, St. Patrick’s Day, Mardi Gras, Cinco de Mayo, Fourth of July, Halloween, Christmas and Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day and others requiring approval by the Board of Public Works and Safety.

The alcoholic beverages and sizes are beer or flavored malt up to 16 ounces; wine, cider and hard seltzer up to 12 ounces; and mixed drinks containing up to two ounces of liquor in a beverage not more than 10 ounces.

Restaurants and bars in the district currently on the map are Big Daddy’s, Blue Collar Bar, Junk Ditch Huntington Tap, Lay’s Pizza & Cocktails, Legends Sports Bar, Market Street Bar and Wise Guys Downtown.

The council had discussed the proposal in June when it was being reviewed by Indiana for state laws.

The DORA law, Indiana Code 7.1-3-31, went into effect over a year ago so communities can create an area, according to the state Alcohol and Tobacco Commission. People ages 21 on up can purchase beverages from approved establishments and can carry them out in DORA regulated cups and to drink only within the designated boundaries set by the community. A municipality can have up to seven DORA districts.

Regular liquor laws apply when an event isn’t recognized as a designated event.
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