Brunswick takes first step to create a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area

BRUNSWICK — An application to create a designated outdoor refreshment area around Town Center and the eastern side of Brunswick Lake has been submitted to Brunswick City Council by the city manager. A DORA is a specific area where open container laws do not apply to alcoholic beverages that were purchased at particular businesses in the area and are in a certain cup, Vice Mayor Nick Hanek said. According to the Ohio Revised Code, Brunswick could have up to three DORAs, each of which must be less than 320 contiguous acres and have at least two qualified liquor permit holders in each DORA. The application submitted to City Council states that Brunswick's DORA would be approximately 33 acres with a perimeter of about 1.64 miles. There are six businesses that have a liquor permit within the area. The hours of operation for the DORA would be from noon to 10 p.m. from Thursday to Sunday once it is established. Alcoholic beverages would be sold in single-use plastic cups that would say "Brunswick DORA." Participants are not allowed to bring their own outside alcoholic beverages inside the DORA. People who are inside the DORA can visit multiple businesses within the boundaries, but a drink purchased at a previous establishment must be disposed of before entering another establishment. Establishments that are participating in the DORA would have signage clearly displayed in the front window. Metal posts that have a QR code of the rules and regulations as well as a map of the boundaries would also be spread throughout the DORA. "Once it's effective, I believe Council can adjust," Hanek said. "They can do things with boundaries, rules, regulations, things like that." The DORA is a tool for the city to promote Town Center as a community center, he said. "We're excited to have Town Center continue to develop, to become more walkable, to be a place where people can go and congregate," Hanek said. "(It will) encourage activity, business and socialization as a center of the community. We're very proud of the direction that we're taking." Ward 3 Councilman Brandon Lambert said Town Center's property owner is already planning on having outdoor activities like live entertainment and food trucks within the DORA. "There's not an actual timeline on it right now," he said. "I would be stunned if anything happened this year." The application is the first step in the legal process to establish a DORA in Brunswick, Hanek said. "There's still quite a process to go through," Economic Development Director Grant Aungst said. "Of course, Council still has to accept the letter, and it's got to go through legislation." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.