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Zanesville's Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area

What is a Dora?

A DORA is a designated outdoor refreshment area where alcoholic beverages are allowed to be consumed in public areas during specific days and hours. The purpose of the DORA is to enhance economic development throughout key commercial corridors.

Why did Zanesville Create a DORA?

Zanesville’s DORA was created in 2021 as a way to encourage downtown investment. This tool has been successful in driving new businesses to open in communities across the State of Ohio.

Vibrant Community Program

The Vibrant Community Program recognizes that distressed communities may not have adequate resources to develop and implement economic development projects that can attract private investment and create new jobs in the community. The program was established to assist distressed small and medium sized communities with the implementation of catalytic development projects that fulfill a market need and represent a significant reinvestment in areas that have struggled to attract new investment.

Eligibility

JobsOhio has identified 96 cities with populations between 5,000 and 75,000 and poverty rates that are at or above the state’s average poverty rate that are eligible for support in this program. Eligible applicants include businesses, non-profits, developers, port authorities or local governments.

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The ZDA has been busy working side by side with the City of Zanesville on numerous projects.

These project included: Downtown Revitalization District formation, Downtown Redevelopment District formation and providing research information to the Ohio Historical Preservation Office These projects will attract businesses, capture “taxes” and preserve historic facades in our downtown.

ZDA volunteers participated in the Interstate ramp clean-up project to enhance the entrances into and out of our downtown area. Additionally, the ZDA organized the Miracle on Main Street and Holiday Tour.

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Mission Statement

The mission of the Zanesville Downtown Association is to stimulate economic revitalization in Downtown by encouraging business attraction, retention and expansion through marketing, promotion, and an improved physical environment.

Timeline

  • Community leaders come together to discuss the future of downtown Zanesville.

  • The Hyett-Palma consulting firm is hired do build a master plan for downtown Zanesville.

    The Zanesville Downtown Association is formed to be housed under the Zanesville-Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce

  • City of Zanesville adopts numerous suggestions from the master plan and incorporates it into codified ordanances.

  • KKG Design Group creates a downtown master plan.

  • Y-Bridge arts festival is created.

  • Downtown Arts & Culture Overlay District adopted by City of Zanesville.

  • Dutro Ford Lincoln Nissan dealership project begins.

  • Way-finding signage project to enhance citizen and guest parking amenities.

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