Covington could soon have its own DORA zone.City leaders are sharing plans for a “Common Consumption Area” at a meeting Tuesday, inviting neighbors and business owners to weigh in.”The whole focus is to continue to stimulate economic growth, to bring more businesses, which means more employees, which means more revenue for the city,” said Tim Acri, the Covington commissioner behind the proposal. He says upcoming construction projects that will impact bridge traffic could cause a dip in business, explaining that this plan could help mitigate that. Among those in favor of the idea is restaurant owner Mitch Arens.”I think bringing this opportunity in for people to be able to stroll, in us to collaborate with all the businesses and create these events, get people down here, allow people to bounce from business to business and see all the amazing stuff we already have,” said Arens.From the pros to the cons, many still have concerns.Allie Eberle is the director of operations for Galaxy, a bar within the proposed zone.”Ultimately, you know, the drawbacks I see are far greater than the benefits that it adds,” said Eberle. She says DORA zones can make it harder to serve people safely.”We have a responsibility to responsibly serve our, our patrons. Part of that is, you know, kind of ascertaining and understanding what they have had to drink, you know, before they come into our establishments,” said Eberle.If approved, leaders say this could take effect in the spring.Right now, the proposed Zone runs along Madison Avenue from 4th to 9th Street.The proposed hours are Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to midnight, and possibly Mondays.
Covington could soon have its own DORA zone.
City leaders are sharing plans for a “Common Consumption Area” at a meeting Tuesday, inviting neighbors and business owners to weigh in.
“The whole focus is to continue to stimulate economic growth, to bring more businesses, which means more employees, which means more revenue for the city,” said Tim Acri, the Covington commissioner behind the proposal. He says upcoming construction projects that will impact bridge traffic could cause a dip in business, explaining that this plan could help mitigate that.
Among those in favor of the idea is restaurant owner Mitch Arens.
“I think bringing this opportunity in for people to be able to stroll, in us to collaborate with all the businesses and create these events, get people down here, allow people to bounce from business to business and see all the amazing stuff we already have,” said Arens.
From the pros to the cons, many still have concerns.
Allie Eberle is the director of operations for Galaxy, a bar within the proposed zone.
“Ultimately, you know, the drawbacks I see are far greater than the benefits that it adds,” said Eberle. She says DORA zones can make it harder to serve people safely.
“We have a responsibility to responsibly serve our, our patrons. Part of that is, you know, kind of ascertaining and understanding what they have had to drink, you know, before they come into our establishments,” said Eberle.
If approved, leaders say this could take effect in the spring.
Right now, the proposed Zone runs along Madison Avenue from 4th to 9th Street.
The proposed hours are Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to midnight, and possibly Mondays.
