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Changes to Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas (DORA) were discussed by Marietta City Council on Tuesday night.
Kasandra Pritchett, chair of the Marietta Main Street economic vitality committee, said businesses started placing orders two weeks ago for DORA cups, as the weather is starting to warm up.
She said in 2021, there were concerns about trash and safety, but there were no complaints filed regarding trash left behind and there were no DORA-related incidents which involved law enforcement.
She proposed two things -- longer times and expansion into the west side.
"DORA became associated with First Fridays," she said. "People were not buying cups on Saturdays because shops were not open and they weren't open later on Fridays except First Fridays."
DORA's designated time is from 5 to 9 p.m., which was too short of a window and people would get stuck in line, she explained.
Her proposal was to expand the time to Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 10 p.m. and noon to midnight Fridays and Saturdays. She said downtown has good business on Fridays and there are often shows at local venues on weekdays.
After discussion, it was decided to look into having DORA from noon to midnight Monday through Saturday.
As time changes wouldn't need to go through liquor control, this legislation will be sent through the council first.
Pritchett's other proposal was for the expansion into the west side. The expansion would be from Putnam Street to just past the Busy Bee on Gilman, to include the Harmar Tavern on Maple Street.
In other committee business:
¯ Mid-Ohio Valley Players member Suzanne Walker said the theater's capital campaign is going well. She is excited to have the facade redone. With an Ohio Heritage grant for the facade work, they can now work on the interior as the roof work is also finished.
Walker said the goal is to restore the theater to offer a venue for smaller events. Funding is still needed for a new stage floor and interior painting. The cost of the work is around $52,000, she said. Any mitigation for lead paint is included in the bid.
¯ Councilman Mike Scales said he will ask Law Director Paul Bertram for legislation to go to bid for the repaving and repairing part of the river trail.
"I want to get the ball rolling on this and see how much it's going to cost," Scales said. "It'll be two years. We love tourism in this town and this is an interest to tourists."
He said they should move forward since they have the American Rescue Plan Act funding.
¯ Scott Kitchen, representative from the Marietta Area Community Tennis Association, presented the council with a priority order for recommended court needs.
The top four items on the list are the big money items, he said. The top item is estimated at $200,000 to tear out, address slips and replace the upper tennis courts at Gold Star Park. Other top needs are the construction of pickleball courts at Indian Acres and the resealing/surfacing of tennis courts at Gold Star Park and Indian Acres.
Michele Newbanks can be reached at mnewbanks@mariettatimes.com.