GOSHEN, Ind. (WSBT) — The City of Goshen is considering proposing an ordinance allowing open containers of alcohol along Main Street downtown.
As this ordinance is not yet proposed a lot of information could still change.
However, the program would be controlled and confined to certain areas of downtown.
The city is specifically looking at confining the area to Main Street due to the ability to host a variety of events including First Fridays, concerts, and pickleball tournaments.
“We feel like, you know, having that type of mobility is good. It’s important to note that this isn’t a blueprint for a frat party by any means. This is a responsible program for responsible people who are downtown, enjoying and enhancing our downtown experience,” said City of Goshen Community Relations Michael Wanbaugh
{ }The city is specifically looking at confining the area to Main Street due to the ability to host a variety of events including First Fridays, concerts, and pickleball tournaments.{ }{ }(WSBT Photo)
The program would not allow outside alcohol to be brought in rather, participating restaurants, bars and establishments would sell drinks served in a city-provided cup to carry within the designated area.
“We’re not the first community in the area to do it, and so I think we’ve been able to watch and kind of pick some of the good things that everybody’s doing around us and put that into our plan,” said, Goshen Chamber of Commerce President Nick Kiefer.
The city says they have been speaking with possible participating licensed establishments about DORA and what it would look like for their businesses.
The city is specifically looking at confining the area to Main Street due to the ability to host a variety of events including First Fridays, concerts, and pickleball tournaments. (WSBT Photo)
“So yeah, so in the process of doing all the research and kind of the legwork of what that is, so we’re reaching out to businesses, talking through them, kind of educating people of what that looks like and what DORA really is, and had some really good feedback to start with,” said Kiefer.
Currently, the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco commission has approved DORA districts across the state including in Elkhart and Mishawaka.
