Wheeling moves forward on PODA ordinance
The Wheeling Rules Committee recommended the city council consider approving a Private Outdoor Designated Area ordinance. The legislation saw its first reading Tuesday.
WHEELING – Members of the council’s Rules Committee gave their stamp of approval Tuesday on an ordinance authorizing Private Outdoor Designated Areas, or PODA, in the city. The measure was forwarded to the full council for their consideration, where it received a first reading at their meeting Jan. 21.
Sponsored by Councilor Ty Thorngate, the ordinance would allow the creation of zones in the city where alcoholic beverages can be carried outside in specific, PODA-designated cups.
Vice Mayor Jerry Sklavouankis, who chairs the Rules Committee, Councilor Dave Palmer, and Councilor Tony Assaro, expressed their support for the measure.
Thorngate informed the committee that was held with members of the business community regarding the ordinance. “It looks now, as is…the business community does support it.”

The PODA zone would encompass the streets of Water, Main, Market, and Chapline in the downtown neighborhood of Wheeling and extend along Main and Market streets to the Centre Market business district. The zone would be active from Monday through Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
The Wheeling Convention & Visitors Bureau has agreed to purchase 10,000 regulation cups for the first round of the program with participating businesses footing the bill for future cup purchases. The only cost to the city of Wheeling would be for signage to demarcate the zone.
Chief of Police Shawn Schwertfeger advised the committee that he had no concerns regarding PODA, but that other municipalities in the state did record “slight increases in EMS” calls.
Thorngate first approached the council's Development Committee in August with the idea. “Today is pretty much going to serve as a launch point for [PODA],” Thorgate said at the time. “I want to take the next couple of months to get this right.”
In 2023, the West Virginia Legislature approved legislation to allow municipalities to create PODA zones. PODA legislation must include requirements to comply with state and local laws, ensure public health and safety, proposed areas be submitted in a map or survey detailing the PODA’s boundaries, and signage be posted with the days and hours of operation.
Del. Shawn Fluharty, who represents Wheeling in the state Legislature, spoke in favor of the city adopting PODA legislation. “[Businesses in cities where PODA is approved] were very happy with the change because it allows for foot traffic to increase in certain areas,” Fluharty said at the August meeting.
Drinks are served by qualified businesses and are to be served in non-glass containers. The cups will have a Wheeling-specific logo denoting their compliance to PODA. Residents participating in the PODA can walk between businesses and on public property within the designated zone.
Several cities in the state have adopted PODA legislation, including the cities of Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown, and Parkersburg. In May 2024, the city of Elkins launched a survey to gauge interest in a PODA.
The state of Ohio adopted similar legislation in 2015 known as Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas, or DORA. The village of Bellaire and city of St. Clairsville have approved the zones in their municipalities.
In Charleston, PODA’s launch was so successful that several businesses ran out of the city-provided specially marked cups on its first night, reports Ashley Perham of the Charleston Gazette-Mail. To combat the supply chain issue, and to cut down on plastic waste, Fife Street Brewing has begun using “infinitely reusable” stainless steel cups. Those cups cost $10 at the brewery and come with one free beer upon purchase. The cups can be used by other PODA establishments in the city.
As the city of Wheeling works to attract more businesses, residents, tourists, and shoppers, leaders hope PODA can be a tool to aid in their efforts.
The ordinance may be approved as early as Feb. 4.