SUNBURY — Sunbury’s designated outdoor refreshment area (DORA) is nearly ready for its first pour after receiving state approval Wednesday.
City officials are now working to install boundary signs and distribute required DORA cups in hopes of activating the district as soon as possible, according to City Manager Daryl Hennessy.
“We’re working with the [Delaware County] Chamber of Commerce, [and] the chamber is working with the local businesses to try to activate the DORA this weekend,” Hennessy said.
At first, Hennessy’s written report to council didn’t include the news because the state hadn’t yet given Sunbury the green light when he finished it. A few hours later, the cork was popped.
The approval allows people to carry alcoholic beverages purchased from participating businesses within the designated area once the city posts its boundary signs and distributes required DORA cups to participating liquor establishments.
Hennessy said the city had the boundary signs and was working to install them, while the official cups were expected to arrive Thursday.
But even if the DORA is operational this weekend, drinks won’t be permitted within it on Monday.
City Council previously designated the Labor Day festivities as one of several “blackout dates” — and despite the ironic name, it means the DORA cannot operate.
The quick turnaround in getting the DORA in place comes after city officials wanted to have it operational before the end of summer. Council unanimously approved the DORA application during council’s Aug. 5 meeting with an emergency clause.
In April, the city surveyed residents about the proposed DORA and received more than 900 responses. Hennessy said 85% of respondents supported establishing a DORA around the city square.
He previously told council that District 13 and Firehouse Tavern consistently shared favorable opinions about the initiative.
“I think it acts like an economic development tool for the smaller areas to be able to sustain a little bit more foot traffic,” District 13 owner Jassen Holderby previously told Delaware Source.
“I don’t think there’s going to be some mad rush to go to Sunbury and drink outside,” he said. “But, it’ll encourage other types of businesses to come around the square and things of that nature as we grow.”
Mayor Joe St. John echoed Holderby’s thoughts during the meeting that expedited the DORA process in August.
“We’ve had nobody other than proponents of this, and the people that I talked to are looking forward to this as well,” St. John said.
