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Stephanie Wiechmann
Designated outdoor refreshment areas known as DORAs were created by state law. Muncie wants to create three zones: one in downtown, one in the Village and one in the McKinley neighborhood surrounding Elm Street Brewing. Council attorney Dan Gibson says a DORA is --

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Dan Gibson
Where patrons can leave one establishment, and have an open container of alcohol and walk within the district to another, establishment or to stay within that area.

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Stephanie Wiechmann
The open containers of alcohol must be clear and include a specific sticker. Required street signs will let people know the area is an open container area. Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour and the council member sponsoring the ordinance, say both the Muncie Police Department and Ball State University Police Department are already patrolling the areas and don't see a problem with the DORA designation.

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Stephanie Wiechmann
The ordinance didn't pass its introductory vote unanimously. Councilmen Jeff Green and Jerry Dishman had concerns about public drunkenness around families also using the areas. As Green put it --

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Jeff Green
I’ve talked to a Ball State student concerning this.  Ball State student told me they will absolutely love to come downtown, because they can drink and run all over the place, and do whatever they want in the evenings.

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Stephanie Wiechmann
Because it's a state program, if Muncie okays three DORA districts, the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission will need to approve the move. The ordinance is up for its second reading in November. In Muncie. Stephanie Wiechmann, IPR news.