AKRON, Ohio — Editor's note: the video in the player above is from a previous story.
In 2020, Akron officially implemented a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA).
Now the area, where alcoholic beverages can be purchased from permitted establishments and consumed outdoors within the district, is expanding.
On Tuesday, Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan announced that the city's application to expand its DORA has officially been approved by the state and is now in place. Located in downtown Akron, the DORA now covers nearly 145 acres from R. Shea Brewing at 540 S. Main St. to Lock 15 Brewing at 21 W North St. and consists of nearly 40 establishments.
The approval of Akron's expanded DORA comes just days ahead of the annual Akron Pride Festival on Saturday, August 27.
"We're very excited to now offer an expanded DORA to our residents and guests in downtown Akron," Mayor Horrigan said in a statement. "The DORA has been a huge success for our participating businesses so far and we've heard from bars, restaurants, and breweries up and down Main St. and beyond about wanting to be included. Having the larger DORA in place for the Akron Pride Festival this weekend will allow festival goers to purchase alcoholic beverages in the expanded footprint and enjoy anywhere they go within the festival grounds in downtown Akron."
Added Suzie Graham, President and CEO of the Downtown Akron Partnership: “Expansion of the downtown DORA will improve the experience and economic impact of downtown festivals like Akron Pride, allowing them to better integrate with small businesses and build a more vibrant downtown. Our downtown businesses are very excited for this expansion and we’re happy to see it come to fruition.”
A full explainer of how the DORA works can be found on Downtown Akron's official website.