On June 25, 2021, City Manager Paul Oberdorfer provided an application to the City Commission to initiate the process of creating a DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area) in downtown Piqua.  The application cites the purpose of establishing a DORA in downtown Piqua as being to promote the appeal of visiting or living in a walkable and attractive downtown environment.

In addition to providing food establishments licensed to sell alcohol the opportunity to increase outdoor dining areas, the DORA is expected to encourage additional foot traffic and patronage of businesses in downtown Piqua.

“Creating an attractive place and encouraging a vibe in the downtown area that makes people want to be there is vital to supporting local business and attracting new investment to the community,” stated Community and Economic Development Director, Chris Schmiesing.

A Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area is a specific area in which licensed liquor establishments may serve alcoholic beverages in an approved cup that allows the consumer to leave the premises with the alcoholic beverage in a DORA cup and continue consuming the beverage within the boundaries of the DORA. All other laws applicable to alcohol sales and consumption remain in effect.

The DORA boundaries being proposed include the central business district area bordered by North Street, Spring Street, Wood Street and Wayne Street, extending west on Water Street to Roosevelt Avenue, including Fort Piqua Plaza, McColloch Square and Lock 9 Park, and excluding the YMCA, YWCA, St James Church, Municipal Government Complex, and U.S. Post Office.  Businesses within the DORA will be provided a small decal that they may place at the business entry to inform patrons whether it is permissible to enter the business with a beverage in a DORA cup.  Only those alcoholic beverages purchased at a licensed establishment within the DORA boundaries may be consumed in a DORA cup.  No outside alcoholic beverages may be brought into the DORA or otherwise consumed from the DORA cup.

The application submitted to City Commission requests the DORA be adopted with a 90-day trial period.  During the trial period the activity and effects produced by the adoption of the DORA will be monitored and reviewed. At the conclusion of the trial period the findings will be reviewed by City Commission and the DORA will be modified as deemed necessary to meet the best interest of the community.

“Having a DORA will enhance visitors experience and provide a greater opportunity to support local businesses while enjoying public art, architecture and streetscape in downtown Piqua,” stated Lorna Swisher, Executive Director of Mainstreet Piqua.

For more information, visit www.piquaoh.org/dora/

Effective July 6th, 2021, new Office hours for the Piqua Health & Sanitation Department will be as follows:

8 am—12 pm Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays
1 pm—5 pm Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays

8 am—12 pm Wednesdays Office Closed
1 pm—5 pm Wednesdays Office Open

Piqua City offices will be closed on Monday, July 5, 2021, for the observed holiday.

Garbage, refuse, and recycling collections will be on regular schedule this week.

Please note that refuse collection will not be delayed for the Fourth of July holiday.

The City urges all customers to place their containers at their usual collection points the evening before for early pick-ups the following day.

This notice is to inform the public that the Tree Committee meeting was canceled for Monday, July 5, 2021 due to Independence Day.
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be on Monday, August 2, 2021 at 4:00pm.
Please feel free to contact me with any concerns prior to our next meeting.

Bob Graeser
City of Piqua

Please be advised that a special Planning Commission meeting will be conducted  on Monday, June 28th, 2021 at 6:00 PM both in person at 201 W. Water St. in the Commission Chambers, and using a video conferencing application called Zoom. This application can be downloaded from your app store or be accessed through your browser at Zoom.us

Board members and staff members will attend the meeting in person, agenda item applicants are invited to attend the meeting in person or attend the meeting using Zoom.

All others wishing to attend may do so via Zoom. Those who wish to attend must submit a request for meeting access information via email by noon on the date of the meeting.

Request for meeting access may be submitted via email to Bethany Harp at  bharp@piquaoh.org

Residents and others with interest in the agenda topics may also submit public comment on an item until noon on the day of the meeting by emailing Bethany Harp at  bharp@piquaoh.org . Public comments submitted by the date/time noted will be presented to the Planning Commission at the public hearing proceedings.

The full agenda packet may be accessed at http://piquaoh.org/city-government/boards-and-  committees/planning-commission/

Please contact this office if you have any questions pertaining to this notice.

Kyrsten French City Planner