Outdoor refreshment area plan for Oregon District moves forward

DAYTON — Dayton’s first designated outdoor refreshment area could start in the spring if city commissioners vote to approve the plan.

A public hearing and first reading of the plan was held during this morning’s city commission meeting.

The legislation, if passed, would allow you to buy an alcoholic drink at a bar and carry it outside within the designated outdoor refreshment area.  However, you would not carry the drink into another place that serves alcohol.

The alcoholic beverage would have to be in an approved container.

The zone would cover the Oregon District, Oregon East and the convention center area as well.

State lawmakers made the zones a possibility in 2015.

In Ohio, there are currently 24 designated outdoor refreshment areas.  Dayton could have two of the zones based on the size of the city.

The plan was proposed to the city by the Oregon District Business Association in December.

City commissioners could vote to enact the zone at next week’s meeting.

If approved, the zone would go into effect in 30 days.