photo by: Eric Ayres

Wheeling Councilman Ty Thorngate, The Bridge Tavern co-owner Mike Carl and Councilman Dave Palmer, in front from left, lead a group of revelers in downtown Wheeling celebrating Friday’s official kickoff of the city’s new PODA (Private Outdoor Designated Area) district.

WHEELING — The new Private Outdoor Designated Area or PODA district in Wheeling officially went into operation Friday, and it didn’t take long for supporters of the initiative to raise a glass and propose a toast.

“That’s one small sip for man. One giant drink for mankind,” said Wheeling City Councilman Ty Thorngate, who championed the establishment of the new PODA district in the Friendly City.

During PODA operating hours, patrons at participating licensed establishments can purchase an alcoholic beverage in a designated plastic PODA cup and carry their drink to go while walking to other participating businesses within the district.

Thorngate noted that efforts to establish a new PODA district in Wheeling had been in the works for well over a year — dating back to the previous city council — since the West Virginia Legislature passed Senate Bill 534, allowing cities to establish PODA districts, also known in some areas as DORAs (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas).

“Since then, it’s been about a year-long process,” he said. “It’s exciting. There’s been a lot of twists and turns, ups and downs, but the road of progress is never straight. For Wheeling to be successful and to keep on the come-up, we need more business owners to step up, to be fearless and to take chances. I feel like Wheeling is at its best when we have people like that.”

Currently, two licensed businesses downtown officially have jumped on board as establishments that will provide PODA cups and sell to-go beverages as part of the program – one that is focused on increasing commerce and foot traffic, and helping to make the downtown and the Centre Market area more vibrant. The Bridge Tavern & Grill and River City Ale Works officially carry the blue “PODA Beverages Sold Here” decal.

“I’m happy to be here and thankful for The Bridge and the people at River City for being early adopters, for taking a chance and believing in me and believing in this ordinance,” Thorngate said.

The councilman noted that there are a number of other licensed businesses that have initiated the paperwork to become PODA district participants in regards to beverage sales. A number of other businesses are waiting for the new permitting year to begin on July 1, and at that time, they plan to have their PODA application processed in conjunction with their permit renewal, Thorngate indicated.

“It’s just another opportunity for people to travel around in downtown Wheeling,” said Jason Miller, co-owner of River City. “It makes it more exciting. You get to visit the other bars and travel with your drink legally.”

River City just recently underwent a major enhancement as part of the Wheeling Artisan Center renovation. A new dining area inside the restaurant – as well as a new outdoor dining area along the newly completed 14th Street sidewalk as part of the state’s Downtown Streetscape Project – are just one of the many enhancements that have taken place in downtown Wheeling. The PODA district helps showcase those improvements, Miller noted.

“It gets more people to travel around, and it’s another reason to come to downtown Wheeling,” Miller said.

Operating hours for the Wheeling PODA district are 4-11 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends. Drinks must remain inside the PODA district’s designated areas, and signs have been erected along the perimeters of these zones. The district extends from 10th Street south along the Ohio River to the area of Wheeling Creek, and then further south into Center Wheeling around the Centre Market district between Main and Market streets to 23rd Street. In the downtown area, the PODA district’s east-west borders extend from the river to Market Street between 10th Street and Wheeling Creek, and further east to Chapline Street between Lane 7 and 15th Place.

A map of the PODA district as well as a wealth of other information is available online on the city of Wheeling’s official website.

Mike Carl, co-owner of The Bridge Tavern – which has also undergone a major renovation in the refurbished family-owned building at 10th and Main streets, said making the city more walkable can play a key part in enhancing its vibrancy, setting the table for attracting a steady flow of customers moving about through the heart of town.

“Wheeling has a lack of pedestrian traffic in the downtown, and this is such a simple thing to do that doesn’t cause harm to anyone,” Carl said. “All of the alcoholic beverage laws are still intact.”

Carl noted that public drunkenness and drinking and driving are obviously still against the law. Open container laws still apply in the city, but the PODA district and participating establishments create a controlled exemption designed to stimulate commerce and nightlife.

“If you want to put more people on the street walking from establishment to establishment, I think it’s a pretty easy thing to do – and again, it’s just a start,” Carl said.

Another type of participating business within the district are establishments that do not sell alcoholic beverages but do allow people walking with a beverage in their PODA cup to enter their establishment. There are several businesses that have applied to participate and carry the blue “PODA Beverage Welcome Here” decal.

Currently, the PODA “Welcome Here” establishments include: Outdated Threads, Puddleducks, Wildflower Coop & Garden, Ash & Tin, REStyle, Moonlight Intimate Apparel, VC Wares, Wheeling Noods Ramen Bar, Wheeling Barber Co., Cardinal Inc./Wheeling Stamp, Drizzys, Grandpa Joe’s, Under the Elder Tree, Attic Picker, the Centre Market House, Almost Heaven Candle Co. and Public Market.

The lists of PODA “Sold Here” and “Welcome Here” establishments is expected to grow as applications are processed. Officials encouraged the public to check the city’s website for the latest lists of participants. Of course, those walking downtown or in the Centre Market area should be able to see the designated decals displayed outside of the participating businesses.

There are presently two establishments that have applied for red “PODA Beverages Not Permitted” decals – Newbridge Cafe and Antiques on the Market. Officials indicated that other businesses within the district that have no decal displayed should be considered a “Not Permitted” establishment unless or until they are designated otherwise.

Progressive cities throughout the country have embraced the concept of PODA districts in recent years to help provide a more commerce friendly environment in neighborhoods where it is deemed appropriate. In West Virginia, the cities of Charleston, Morgantown, Huntington and Parkersburg have already established their own PODA districts. Across the river in Ohio, scores of cities have established similar districts – including active DORA districts in St. Clairsville and Bellaire locally.

According to Wheeling’s new PODA legislation, the city manager may at any time suspend the operation of the PODA district or a portion of the district if it is deemed necessary. This will likely be the case during special events such as those that take place at Heritage Port and along Water Street throughout the summer. Depending on each event’s status related to a PODA application and its licensing with the West Virginia Beverage Control Commission, permitted sales of alcoholic beverages during special events may be limited to the confines of the designated event area, as has traditionally been the case.

Permit applications and information about obtaining designated decals are available on the city website. Decals are also available by contacting City Clerk Jessica Zalenski at 304-234-6301 or via email at jessica.zalenski@wheelingwv.gov.