Neenah to consider designated outdoor drinking zone

NEENAH, Wis. (WBAY) - People visiting downtown Neenah may soon have the option to enjoy an alcoholic beverage outside in a designated area.

It’s something that only happens right now during special events, but the city council could change that with a vote Wednesday night.

Some people, Action 2 News Jason Zimmerman spoke with, are concerned about this proposal, but the majority of downtown business owners tell him they’re excited.

If it passes, the city would establish a designated outdoor refreshment area, also known as a DORA.

On days like this, there are a number of people enjoying alcoholic beverages in downtown Neenah, but the chance to take those drinks to go could be just one vote away, according to city council member Mark Ellis.

“What it allows people to do is, with the participating retail outlet that sells alcohol that they get the sticker and put it on their beverage and they can carry it outside, they can only take it in to another establishment that has the sticker system going, so it’s not like it’s a free for all walk around,” Ellis said.

The designated area includes a portion of Main Street, several blocks on West Wisconsin Avenue, and a block on South Commercial Street with more than a dozen participating businesses, one of which is Urban Market.

“We are really excited about it. It’s just going to get a lot of people to experience the entire downtown. They can pick up a drink here and take it to any of the areas,” said Kimberly Van Sistine, owner of Urban Market.

The DORA would be allowed between the hours of noon to 10 p.m., on Wednesday through Saturday, on a trial basis, through the end of March next year.

Still, some residents like Lee Hillstrom have concerns.

“We used to have a program downtown at Halloween time, and it was called Boofest, and the kids would go to the different businesses and get candy. What’s happening now, this has become boozefest, where people will be going business to business to get alcohol, and it just doesn’t look good,” Hillstrom, a Neenah resident, said.

However, Ellis said, in the past, DORA hasn’t been a problem for special events.

“Our police department has had no issues at this time. So, they’re good with this as well,” Ellis said.

The proposal is being largely backed by Future Neenah Incorporated, which declined to comment ahead of Wednesday night’s meeting.