10 Questions with a Downtown Akron Resident: Benjamin McMillan

Downtown Akron has seen close to $200 million in residential investment since 2018, and today, there are roughly 4,000 people who call the neighborhood home. Get to know them in our new 10 Questions with a Downtown Akron Resident series, where downtown residents share their favorite downtown places, moments, and more. First up, we’ve got Benjamin McMillan.

How long have you lived in downtown Akron, and what brought you here? I have lived downtown for a year and a half. I lived in Downtown Los Angeles for 8 years, and when I moved back to Akron I really wanted to live in a dense urban environment.

Which building do you live in, and what is your favorite thing about your apartment/building? I live in the Goodrich, which is part of canal place. I love the proximity to Bounce, where my office is, and I love that my apartment includes a really large shower.

Tell us a little bit about yourself. I'm 35 years old. I grew up in Wadsworth but moved away when I was 18. I'm a boomerang back to Akron. I have an 18-month-old beagle named Frank. I own a local composting company called Rubber City Reuse, and in my spare time I love to try new restaurants and nerd out on my Nintendo.

What three things do you need in order to have a good day? Interaction with culture, interaction with arts, and a good workout.

What is your favorite downtown restaurant and why? DBA in Northside. I'm a big Dante fan and I follow a lot of his restaurants in Cleveland, but I also love Crave as it's a little easier to walk to from my apartment.

What is your favorite downtown festival, event, or public space? I'm a big baseball fan, so I love taking friends from out of town for a cheap night at Canal Park, especially the fireworks nights. All my friends have such a good time when they visit.

What excites you the most about downtown Akron? The expanding residential options and new neighbors. Folks that live downtown tend to have a lot in common, and it's always nice to make new friends. Also, with new neighbors comes new amenities and attractions.

If you could add any new business (or type of business) to the neighborhood, what would it be? A convenience or grocery store. It's a bummer I have to get in my car or take the #1 bus for groceries or simple convenience items.

As a resident, where do you see downtown in 20 years? Most of the outdated office buildings will be turned into apartments, the population will reach a critical mass that will allow for new businesses, and downtown will be off to the races like Cleveland’s downtown.

What do you want the world to know about downtown Akron? That downtown is clean, vibrant, and welcoming. You can get the hustle and bustle during the week, but on the weekends it's probably the quietest most peaceful neighborhood in Akron. The entirety of downtown is truly a hidden gem. OH! And that we have coyotes that live down here too!!! You haven’t lived until you’re walking your dog down Main Street and cross paths with a real coyote…it was soooo cool.

Click here to learn about downtown living options.

Click here to read The 11 Best Things About Living in Downtown Akron.