Kent City Council

Outdoor drinking zone in downtown Kent expected July 20

City Council also voted to add criminal penalties for people who violate the city’s urban livestock ordinance

By Gina Butkovich
News Lab

Kent City Council on Wednesday approved a proposal from downtown businesses allowing outdoor alcohol consumption and signed off on criminal penalties for people who violate restrictions on farm animals in residential areas.

Kent’s Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, or DORA, is an area where people can drink alcohol outdoors from noon to 10 p.m. City leaders hope it will help rescue downtown bars in Kent from revenue losses due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The DORA will cover a designated area and take effect starting July 9.

John Kuhar, the council member for Ward 4, proposed an amendment to end the DORA at Portage Street. He said he was speaking on behalf of several business owners and residents located in the section of North Water Street past Portage Street, which is the block north of Scribbles Coffee Company.

“There are no liquor establishments on North Water Street past Portage Street so there’s no reason for people to be allowed…