Despite mounting community support, Beech Grove’s proposal to allow outdoor alcohol consumption during designated time periods along Main Street and within Sarah T. Bolton Park has failed.
“I think we did a good thing for our citizens voting down the DORA,” said Councilor Dan McMillan.
The proposed Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area has divided residents over the past few months. The debate centered on whether it would boost the city’s local business economy or be a gateway to youth and adult alcoholism and illegal misconduct.
The city conducted online and in-person polls that showed community members who responded supported the DORA. Petitions in support also were submitted by O’Gara’s Irish Pub and Greek’s Pizzeria. Of those surveys, 246 people supported a DORA, including 49 people who live outside of the city. Only 51 people were against the proposal, based on city surveys and a list of residents from McMillan.
A vote to approve the DORA failed 3-4 during the July 6 council meeting. That was just days after police said juveniles fired gun shots following a fireworks show at Sarah T. Bolton Park on July 3, which a resident referenced as councilors considered adding an open-container law in an open-carry state.
It’s unclear whether alcohol was involved.
“What if a stray bullet went into my home, my neighbor’s home,” said Diana Hendricks, director of the Beech Grove Comprehensive Drug Free Coalition. “We got lucky with this one that there was minimal hurt.”
Councilor Avis Frieson, to no avail, tried to reassure attendees that “communities are made up of people who make both responsible and irresponsible choices,” but that shouldn’t impact the city’s ability to foster a safe and strong Beech Grove.
“No ordinance, policy or program can completely prevent every individual from violating the law,” Frieson said. “That is why laws and ordinances exist — to establish expectations, provide accountability and create consequences when those expectations are not met.“
Last month, the DORA narrowly passed on a preliminary vote of 4-3. At the time, Councilor Chris Duffer said he would follow the lead of constituents as the proposal advanced. Still, Duffer cast the vote that sank the plan. He didn’t publicly explain why he ultimately voted against the DORA.
Councilor Ryan Matkins thanked the handful of public commenters who spoke for and against the DORA, while also highlighting the decisionmaking process.
“Numbers don’t lie, but we all vote with our hearts and how we think everybody in our districts want us to,” Matkins said.
Councillors McMillan, Duffer, Elizabeth Lamping and Michael Hemmelgarn voted against the DORA. Councilors Frieson, Matkins and Mike Earnest were in favor.
The council must wait one year before voting on a similar ordinance.
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Mirror Indy reporter Elizabeth Gabriel covers the south side of Marion County. Contact her at elizabeth.gabriel@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X at @_elizabethgabs.
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