Companies on Mass Avenue are thinking about setting up a special outside refreshment area

Indianapolis, Indiana – Massachusetts Avenue’s downtown business owners are looking into the potential of creating a DORA, or designated outdoor refreshment area.

Although a number of municipalities in central Indiana have begun embracing the relatively new phenomena, this will be Circle City’s first DORA and Marion County’s second.

Downtown Indianapolis’ Mass Ave has long been a cultural mainstay, well-known for its dining, drinking, and retail offerings. People congregate there day and night.

“I go out to lunch and occasionally dinner with friends. Anthony Cockle, who lives downtown, said, “We’ve been trying to hit different spots down here, really anywhere we can get our hands on where it’s new food, new experience.”

The Mass Ave Merchants Association is debating whether to establish a DORA in the neighborhood, which would further agitate matters.

According to Mass Ave Merchants Association Treasurer Jeff Stroebel, “People would be able to go into an establishment, purchase a drink to go in a designated cup, and to enjoy that drink within the boundaries of the DORA during a timeframe that is allowed.”

A mile-long section of Mass Ave. from New York Street to Interstates 65 and 70 would make up the DORA. It would be in force every day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Consumers may purchase a designated single-use cup that they could carry in public for $1 per drink.

According to Stroebel, “this will actually increase the regulation of outdoor drinking.” “That will give that some structure and some safety measures that aren’t in place yet.”

According to Stroebel, a DORA might potentially significantly affect business.

He explained, “They can have events like sip and shop where someone can stroll the avenue, purchase a beer in a specially designated cup, and purchase a cocktail inside an establishment.”
Cockle and other frequent visitors to the neighborhood expressed that, provided the DORA is properly supervised and regulated, it may be a terrific method to encourage customers to visit different businesses.

It would be really amazing, he remarked. I suppose that independence would allow you to travel and hang out with friends. That would be fantastic.

Before pursuing the plan, the Mass Ave Merchants Association is still in communication with local companies and residents. The state’s Alcohol and Tobacco Commission and the City County Council must provide their final permission before the group can forward with adding the DORA.

The DORA for Noblesville was just introduced last week. Just last week, the Zionsville Town Council made a such proposal. Bargersville, Speedway, Westfield, and Carmel have all gone through the DORA establishment procedure.