COLUMBUS – Columbus City Council Monday night approved a proposal for a scaled-down Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area in the Arena District.
The revised plan shrinks the area where residents can openly carry alcoholic beverages when the Blue, Jackets, Clippers or Crew are playing home games, excluding McFerson Commons Park, Neil Avenue, Spring Street and other areas where residents said there were no retail establishments.
Customers and fans will be allowed to buy alcoholic beverages from participating bars and restaurants and take them outside and into other participating restaurants, bars and retail shops within the district – known as a DORA — from three hours prior to the start of the game and 11:59 p.m. the same day.
The DORA could be active for the first time by the end of September.
The vote was one of many held during council’s final meeting before its August recess. Its next scheduled meeting is Sept 13.
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Council also creating an offense for “reckless operation of an ATV or dirt bike” after hearing complaints from residents in many parts of the city.
Modeled on similar legislation in Philadelphia, New York, and New Haven, Conn., the offense calls for fines between $500 and $1,000 and a maximum jail sentence of 30 days.
Columbus police have reported over 700 calls for service in response to these reckless activities.
Council also authorize spending nearly $7 million in small businesses and entrepreneur support organizations and $2.9 million in parks and playground upgrades.