OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A new expansion to enjoy adult beverages in Oshkosh is now approved.
The city’s common council agreed to a program on Tuesday, allowing downtown outdoor drinking.
Starting July 7, people will be able to carry and consume drinks from downtown bars in public.
Kris Larson is part of Oshkosh’s Business Improvement District, the creator of The ‘Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area,’ also known as DORA.
“At certain times, it will allow people to go into a bar and restaurant, and then take a beverage with them when they leave, as long as they stay within those confines and it’s within those hours,” said Larson.
He’s also the owner of Becket’s located on Jackson Street. The restaurant falls within the DORA’s outline.
The district stretches from the river walk on the Fox River, up North Maine Street until Fulton Avenue.
Drinks can be consumed within the boundaries of the refreshment area during the hours of 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Thursdays through Saturdays.
“If you’re here on a Thursday night and you’re going to Waterfest to see a music concert, you can take a beverage with you as you go,” said Larson.
Aaron Wojciechowski is an Oshkosh city council member.
He says the idea is to drive economic development downtown.
“I think it was a need and a want to expand our downtown and bring more people here,” said Wojciechowski. “It really is one of our busiest hubs so it makes sense as a good testing area to see how it goes.”
The DORA is a pilot program. It means the city has the right to suspend or terminate the program at any time.
Wojciechowski says some residents are worried about the new program.
“We’ve had a lot of concerns about garbage, policing, people being disrespectful to our downtown. It’s going to be a community and business collaboration,” said Wojciechowski. “Be optimistic, respectful, responsible and it will lead to many benefits.”
When it comes to the idea of the DORA, Larson says it’s been done successfully before.
“The Deer District in Milwaukee is a great example of this theory. Around Lambeau Field is a great example of this,” said Larson.
“The hope is that other areas will follow suit and if they feel like they would like to have their own DORA district, then we’ll go through the same process,” said Wojciechowski.
The DORA program ends on October 31. After that, city officials will meet, analyze and discuss the program’s future with Oshkosh.
