Wheeling PODA – Big things are brewing in Wheeling!
The City of Wheeling is launching its Private Outdoor Designated Area (PODA) district, allowing patrons to enjoy beverages outdoors within designated areas. We’re proud to have designed the official PODA logo, enhancing the city’s vibrant downtown and Centre Market neighborhoods.
WHEELING — Officials in the city of Wheeling are putting all the necessary pieces together to roll out its new Private Outdoor Designated Area, or PODA district, next month.
The new measure will allow patrons at participating businesses in the designated downtown and Centre Market areas to leave the establishment with a legal beverage in a designated cup. Patrons will be able to walk with this open container of alcohol between participating establishments within the PODA district.
“We do anticipate that area going live hopefully sometime in mid-May, but definitely before Memorial Day,” Wheeling City Manager Robert Herron said.
Applications for PODA permits are currently being accepted for review by the city for business owners that wish to participate in the program.
Participating establishments must be located within the designated PODA district limits and must be properly licensed through the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration. Applicants must also be in good standing with the city of Wheeling on all taxes, fees, licenses and permits.
Members of Wheeling City Council had been discussing the possibility of implementing a new PODA district over the past year, as other cities in the state and throughout the region have already established successful districts of their own. The program is designed to help enhance community activity, commerce and nightlife while promoting local businesses.
“A constant goal for city council is to create a lively downtown, encouraging residents and visitors to explore local businesses, both retail and restaurants,” said Councilman Ty Thorngate, who spearheaded the effort to bring a PODA district to Wheeling. “By permitting outdoor alcohol consumption, cities can boost economic growth and create welcoming places to live, work and visit.”
In West Virginia, Charleston, Huntington, Parkersburg and Morgantown have implemented PODA districts – also known as DORAs or Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas. Locally, even St. Clairsville has established its own uptown DORA.
The Wheeling PODA district will encompass a portion of the downtown from 10th Street extending south to Center Wheeling to 23rd Street in the Centre Market area. The district also encompasses Heritage Port and the future Robrecht Park site, stretching along the riverfront to the west and to Market Street in the downtown, in addition to an eastward stretch to Chapline Street between the alleys of Lane 7 and 15th Place.
Operating times will be from 4-11 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The city will post signage to mark the parameters of the district and designated disposable to-go cups for use within the PODA district are on their way.
The new cups will include the district’s official logo, which was recently designed by Beyond Marketing. The logo features the image of a frothy beer glass inset in the arch of the Wheeling Suspension Bridge. The logo is also featured in stickers that downtown establishments within the district can use to designate if PODA beverages are sold, welcome or not permitted there.
“A logo has been established, the cups have been ordered and we are in the process of formulating a website with frequently asked questions,” Herron said. “We have had a number of interested businesses that have posed questions and we’re in the process of tracking those down to make sure they’re in conformance with the West Virginia ABCA regulations.”
Original Article by Eric Ayres: