DEMOLITION AHEAD — Crews are slated on Friday morning to begin demolition of the former Cooper Hardware building at the corner of Market and North Third streets in Toronto. -- Warren Scott

TORONTO — Toronto Council Monday approved the third and final reading for a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area and learned the demolition of the former Cooper Hardware building is slated to begin on Friday.

The designation will allow visitors to establishments along North Fourth Street from Clark Street to Main Street and Market Street from North Fifth Street to North Third Street to carry an open container of beer, wine or liquor outside.

Currently licensed to serve alcohol in that area are Baby-Boyz BBQ, Tri B’s Coffee Shop, Frog’s Place, American Legion Post 86 and the Eagles Lodge.

Abby LeMasters and Phil Livingston, the owners of Tri B’s and Baby-Boyz, respectively, approached council about the designation, saying it should attract more people to the city’s downtown business area.

The Gem City Wing Fest organized by the two in July was seen as a test for the designation. though it and previous special events in which alcohol was consumed outside required a temporary permit from the state.

While the designation of a D.O.R.A. has been approved, city officials have recommended it not begin until signs have been posted to indicate the area’s borders, across which the alcohol cannot be taken.

Establishments within the zone have the right not to allow D.O.R.A. participants to enter with alcohol.

Participants of the D.O.R.A. will be given designated cups bearing a QR code that will link to the area’s rules online and cannot be refilled at another establishment.

Hours for the D.O.R.A. are noon to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday throughout the year.

With the ordinance’s passage, Toronto has become one of 100 Ohio municipalities that have established a D.O.R.A.

Council also learned crews with Moderalli Excavating on Friday morning are slated to begin demolition of the former Cooper Hardware building at the corner of Market and North Third streets.

The $121,700 project is expected to be completed in seven to 10 days, with removal of material expected to follow that.

Council President Frank McEwen said during that time, Market Street will be closed to traffic, but the sidewalk in front of businesses on its south side will remain open.

An alley between the building and others facing North Fourth Street also will be closed.

McEwen said at some time during the work, North Third Street will be closed from Main Street to U.S. Bank.

McEwen said the work presently isn’t expected to affect the free concert held by Inspire Toronto at the nearby Gazebo Commons on Wednesday evening.

He noted North Third Street also has been milled for paving and crews hope to finish that, pending suitable weather, before the concert.

McEwen said crews had brought equipment to the site last week but learned they will need another piece of equipment to reach the top of the three-story building.

City officials had expressed concerns about its condition, stating part of the roof has collapsed, and it was acquired by the Jefferson County Land Bank, which is funding the demolition.

Plans call for the remaining vacant lot to be occupied by an amphitheater.

Mayor John Parker has secured a grant for that project and is pursuing others.

Also on Monday:

• Council was advised the city’s board of controls — comprised of the mayor, City Services Director Linda Burkey and City Safety Director William Scalley — has accepted a $4,000 bid from KnightTime Creations, a local business, for two vacant, city-owned lots at 110 and 112 N. Fourth St.

The bid was the highest of two received for the two lots.

• Council authorized City Law Director Craig Allen to draw up a proposed ordinance requiring all-terrain vehicles driven on city streets to be registered.

City Police Capt. Derek Piatt said the police department has received multiple complaints about drivers of such vehicles committing various moving violations, and the move would ease their enforcement efforts.

He said state laws outlining safety and other regulations for ATVs don’t apply to city streets, so a city ordinance is needed.

Council’s next regular meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 25 at the City Building.