BUCYRUS—Bucyrus City Council voted to give DORA a try in Bucyrus. The Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area should be up and running by sometime in June. The process of approving the plan includes reviewing the Ohio Division of Liquor to make sure DORA is compliant with state laws. That review is expected to take around four weeks. After approval, DORA will be approved for four months. At that time, the city will have to decide if they want the arrangement to be permanent.

The City Council has the right to suspend DORA during special events like the Bratwurst Festival.

The drinks must be in specially marked, 16-ounce plastic cups, and the drinkers must remain within the DORA boundaries that include Perry Street to the north, Walnut Street to the east, Charles Street to the south, and Poplar Street to the west. On the east side, the boundary juts out along East Mansfield Street and Norton Way to East Street, plus the Elks Lodge property.

There are 11 bars and dining establishments within the DORA boundaries. Merchants are welcome to choose whether or not they participate in the program. If they want to sell cups, they need a special permit. The Bucyrus Chamber of Commerce will sell the cups to participating merchants. Funds raised will go towards costs related to DORA.

A system much like a stoplight will let consumers know the merchant’s level of participation. A green sign will indicate the establishment sells DORA beverages. A yellow sign means the business does not sell beverages but welcomes them inside. A red sign means DORA beverages are not permitted in that establishment.

Jessie Furner, Executive Director of the Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce, told council earlier that neighboring communities have not seen an increase in crime or OVI charges since they implemented DORA in their community.

Furner also hopes this initiative will bring people downtown to enjoy events and concerts at Schine’s Art Park.

Music at the mural kicks off on June 2nd. Hopefully, DORA will be in place by then. The community is invited to enjoy United In Harmony.