Syracuse Town Manager David Wilkinson, right, listens intently as a resident expresses their concerns about the town creating a designated outdoor refreshment area.
Wilkinson held a public meeting on the matter Tuesday night, May 14. Approximately 20 people came to learn more about D.O.R.A.s and express their concerns. Photo by Lauren Zeugner.

By Lauren Zeugner
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE  — Approximately 20 people attended a public meeting at the Syracuse Community Center to learn more about “Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas.” The meeting was held Tuesday night, May 14.

Town Manager David Wilkinson explained to those present the meeting was strictly exploratory as the Indiana State Legislature recently passed a law allowing D.O.R.A.s

Police Chief Jim Layne and Ashley Dillon, executive director of the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce attended the meeting as did Councilman Bill Musser.

Prior to the meeting, Musser said.”I am against this. I think this type of thing is for an area with a lot of shops. We don’t have that in the uptown Syracuse. We have a lot of businesses and bars.” He also expressed concern about a patron leaving an restaurant or bar with a drink and being pulled over for having an open container.

The new law allows a community to establish a zone where alcohol can be served and taken out of an establishment. The alcohol is served in a distinctive cup and the patron may wander through the D.O.R.A. enjoying the beverage with no issues. Patrons are permitted to purchase two drinks per establishment in the D.O.R.A. The idea is to draw more business to a D.O.R.A.

Since the law was passed 10 to 20 different communities throughout the state have established D.O.R.A.s including Warsaw and Winona Lake.

Under the law, Syracuse could have seven D.O.R.A.s.

Wilkinson explained to create a D.O.R.A. a bar or similar establishment must agree to be the anchor. The D.O.R.A. would then surround that anchor. Signage would indicate the boundaries of the D.O.R.A. so patrons would know if they are entering or exiting. the designated space.

Restrictions for a D.O.R.A. are the borders cannot be within 200 feet of a church or school. If a D.O.R.A. boundary is established too close to either, the church or school may sign off on it. If the church or school chooses not to sign off, the boundary must be changed.

A D.O.R.A. is allowable from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. seven days a week. However a community may impose its own restrictions on a D.O.R.A., including having it just for a special event such as a festival.

Currently, Syracuse has a relatively new ordinance that permits outdoor dining as long as there is some type of fencing or barrier between patrons and the sidewalk. The D.O.R.A. would eliminate the need for the barriers.

One person at the meeting asked if Wilkinson envisioned people boating into the municipal pier to participate in the D.O.R.A.

Wilkinson explained in theory the D.O.R.A. could increase foot traffic that could lead to shop owners extending their business hours.

Another attendee asked why the D.O.R.A. was needed. Wilkinson said it wasn’t needed, but it is an economic development tool and it’s his responsibility to bring it to the town council to consider. He said the council is at least interested in looking at it.

Another attendee said she didn’t see a need, that there wasn’t enough shopping in the uptown area to make it worthwhile. “I just don’t see any purpose for this. We’re small,” she said.

Some attendees expressed concern about patrons being over-served or those underage getting access to alcohol in the D.O.R.A.

One person asked if Wilkinson was for establishing a D.O.R.A. He said he was indifferent to the idea and he wouldn’t be passing the ordinance, the town council would make the final decision.

One merchant said she’s hearing “revitalization” not alcohol and that if there’s more people in the uptown area she would consider expanding her hours.

Stores would have the option to be D.O.R.A. friendly or not with special signage. Those that were not D.O.R.A. friendly could deny customers entrance if they had alcohol with them.

Wilkinson stressed the D.O.R.A. is just one tool among several the council is looking at including a facade grant and working with the chamber of commerce on a main street project.

One attendee asked if a D.O.R.A. was about outdoor dining, people being able to take alcohol from an establishment or both. Wilkinson said both.

Heidi Blake, drug free communities director for Kosciusko Cares, outlined some best practices for a D.O.R.A. to discourage underage drinking. These included mandatory ID checks, different colored wrist bands based on age, correct colored cups and training for those participating in the D.O.R.A.

She also outlined several negative impacts as well such as underage drinking, binge drinking and driving impaired.

Wilkinson will make a report to the town council at its regular meeting next week. Musser told the crowd they are welcome to attend the meeting.

The Syracuse Town Council meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, in the council chambers of Town Hall.