SUNBURY — The city of Sunbury posted a four-question survey to its Facebook page on Tuesday, asking residents to share their thoughts on a possible Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) downtown.
The area would encompass Sunbury Square and include four liquor establishments:
- Branch Pizza at 34 S. Vernon St.
- Firehouse Tavern at 38 S. Vernon St.
- District 13 at 45 E. Granville St.
- Surve at 6 E. Cherry St.
“The reasons for considering a DORA in Sunbury are to enhance the social experience for anyone visiting the Square and to provide more economic benefit for local businesses and the community,” the city’s survey states.
City Administrator Daryl Hennessy said the city has been considering a DORA for about a year or two.
“For more than a year now, I’ve been working with our chamber of commerce to understand where the business community is on this issue,” Hennessy said.
“I think it is fair to say that there is a lot of support for it, but I would not say universal support.”
Hennessy said some residents consider the square “sacred ground” and that it needs to be taken care of.
“The square belongs to the residents of Sunbury. I just wanted to make sure that there is a lot of support for moving forward with a DORA from a cross section of our community,” he said.
Hennessy plans to take the DORA proposal to a committee before it eventually lands in front of council.
“As I look at the reaction of what’s happening on Facebook right now, I’m really impressed with the number of people who are chiming in and sharing the post,” he said.
“I would say it’s a month or two away from being in front of council for consideration.”
District 13 helps push for DORA
Hennessy said that the owners of District 13 and Firehouse Tavern have been vocal in bringing DORA to Sunbury.
“I’ve been helping work on this for quite some time in regards to trying to push it to get it moving, and my stance has always been the same,” District 13 owner Jassen Holderby said.
“I think it acts like an economic development tool for the smaller areas to be able to sustain a little bit more foot traffic.”
Holderby said folks will feel more inclined to bounce around town instead of just coming downtown for dinner.
“I just want to be able to attract attention to our downtown or core area. I don’t think there’s going to be some mad rush to go to Sunbury and drink outside,” Holderby said.
“But, it’ll encourage other types of businesses to come around the square and things of that nature as we grow.”
He added that he doesn’t see the square getting overrun because of DORA, because Sunbury is a family-oriented place.
“We’re not a Short North or place like that where you’re going to see that kind of high increase in people whooping it up,” Holderby said.
“If anything, I want to see the square get some more permanent picnic tables. We’re not a place where you’re going to party like that. You’re just going in, sitting down with the family, chilling out and I think it’ll help boost our retail sales.”
