This is part IV of a multi-part series. Read about Ashland’s South Street and its potential here.
LEBANON, Ohio — Over the past few days, Ashland Source has analyzed the comparisons between Lebanon’s revitalization of Mulberry Street and Ashland’s potential South Street project.
Lebanon originally planned to permanently close a block between Mulberry Street and Mechanic Street and converting it into an entertainment district, but due to the concerns raised by the businesses on the block, Lebanon decided against permanently shuttering the block. Instead, the city in southwest Ohio took alternative measures to create a convertible entertainment district that community members can enjoy during clement times of the year without affecting the business scene of local storefronts.
In Ashland, the city has no intentions to permanently close its South Street, but rather turn it into a potential gathering space.
Nevertheless, there are similarities between the projects that could help inform Ashland’s potential plans.
According to Lebanon city leadership, the city’s downtown events draw crowds from all around the nearby region. The city hosts music festivals and holiday celebrations; some that require the streets to be closed to adhere to the masses.
“Mulberry Street is where most of our public events take place and we close the road down for these events,” said Scott Brunka, Lebanon City Manager. “We average around 10 events a year that include the closure of Mulberry Street.”
Over the years, Lebanon has taken steps to enhance both the functionality and the community’s assessment of its downtown festivities.
Bollards establish an interchangeable entertainment district
The original rendering of Mulberry Street’s entertainment district pictured bollards that were erected to permanently close off the block. Because the businesses on Mulberry Street were able to change the city’s mind, Lebanon chose an alternative approach to its downtown entertainment plaza.
Lebanon stuck with the bollard idea; however, it made some adjustments to the initial plan. The city installed coverable outlets on Mulberry Street’s brick crosswalks.
During communal events, temporary bollards can be installed in these outlets; allowing the street to be closed for an interim period. When the festivity concludes, the bollards can be removed again to allow street traffic.
“When we have an event, these bollards come up and it provides safety,” said Lebanon Mayor Amy Brewer. “As part of our redevelopment, with our money these were all installed.
“Now we can close the roads anytime. It’s a really great alternative to closing the road permanently.”
The executive director of Main Street Lebanon, Linda Nienaber said she ultimately agreed with the decision, although she acknowledged the bollards were expensive for the city.
The removable bollards are hefty and require community workers to install and uninstall them.
“The bollards are pretty substantial (in size and weight),” Nienaber said. “They bring them out in a truck and screw them in.
“It’s quite a process. When we’re having an event and you want those bollards to be put up, you have to say what time you want streets blocked. You need to clear the streets before they put the bollards up because then their cars aren’t going to get out of there.”
Whenever the removable bollards are set up, Lebanon also establishes barricades as a safety tactic to warn traffic of an event.
The DORA Cup
What do Toledo, Mason, Lebanon and over two dozen other cities in Ohio have in common? Each location has approved and established a “Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area,” or DORA.
DORA cups are becoming increasingly popular around Ohio. Cities must apply to have the cup in their respective communities.
“Now people on evenings and weekends can have a drink and walk all through downtown,” Brewer said. “It’s fabulous. You get a special cup and you walk to the bookstore; you can stroll around; you can window shop; you can do whatever and enjoy your drink.
“If you see a sticker on a participating business, you can bring your drink in there.”
Nienaber actively worked on constituting the DORA cup in Lebanon.
Restaurants and bars with liquor licenses can sell drinks and dispense them into a specified cup labeled “DORA.” Neighboring business inside of the designated area put stickers in their window to let community members know that they are permitted to bring their alcoholic beverage inside to shop, browse or mingle other townspeople.
“If someone wants to put up a sign saying that says they’re not participating, we created some of those too,” Nienaber said. “The other thing they can do is not have (a sticker) which would an indicator to not come in with a drink.”
The city established signs around the Mulberry Street entertainment district that clearly defined where patrons could bring their drinks. Individuals who take advantage of the DORA cup have to revere to the boundaries.
Prior to the DORA cup in Lebanon, Nienaber sent out an FAQ to all the businesses in their entertainment plaza to answer any questions or inquiries that they had. She also created DORA cup maps showing the businesses that were participating in the program and dispersed them into the community.
Jayme Kuenkel was one of the business owners on Mulberry Street who supported the newfound DORA cup.
“I think it’s just another thing to bring people downtown and feel like they can have fun down here, which in turn brings them in here,” said Kuenkel, co-owner of The Wellness Lounge. “I think it’s an added perk.”
