PODA: Act responsibly to enjoy new alcohol zone
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Parkersburg officials and downtown businesses have worked well together in developing the Private Outdoor Designated Area that will go into effect Friday. Now it's up to the rest of us to behave in a way that encourages more such innovations.
This PODA is designated by ordinance for the legal consumption of liquor, wine and nonintoxicating beers along Market Street from Third to Ninth-and-a-Half Street.
Anyone age 21 or older can purchase a permitted drink in a specific cup from one of the three merchants with a permit to sell them and consume them outdoors. The area would be in operation from 4-11 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 31.
"This initiative was born of outreach from downtown merchants asking that we consider this for our central business district," Mayor Tom Joyce said. "We want our central business businesses to flourish, and I believe the city's role is to create opportunities to enhance the environment to make better opportunities for dining, recreation and the arts."
Green decals on businesses indicate PODA beverages are permitted to enter. Blue decals mean PODA cups are sold there, and the establishment is licensed to serve PODA beverages. Red decals mean no PODA beverages are permitted on the premises.
This is a wonderful opportunity, provided those who take advantage of it do so safely. Learn the rules, know what the three different signs mean, be respectful and have a plan to enjoy downtown responsibly.
Those who worked so hard to bring this to fruition deserve to know we are ALL going to do this right.