Sights and Scenes: Akron

A virtual visit through the downtown streets of Ohio's fifth-largest city: Akron

Traveling south on Main Street.

The Akron-Summit County Public Library.

The John S. Knight Center is a $33 million convention center that was built in 1994.

The Zion Lutheran Church on South High Street.

Originally built as grain silos for the Quaker Oats Company, was made into a hotel in 1980. It is now owned by the University of Akron and serves as a Residence Hall.

The 218-foot former Quaker /Oats factory grain elevator is the city’s fourth tallest building.

The University of Akron Goodyear Polymer Center.

Traveling west on East Mill Street.

Downtown Akron’s three tallest buildings.

The intersection of Main and Mill Streets.

The intersection of Main and Bowery Streets.

The University of Akron Polsky Building. The art deco building was originally Polsky’s Department Store. Built in 1930, the department store closed for good in 1978.

South Main Street.

The St. Bernard Catholic Church.

Northside District

The Northside District is located along a short stretch of North Main Street that is severed from the rest of downtown Akron by Martin Luther King Boulevard and the Akron Inner Belt. Today, the district is a self-contained collection of restaurants and boutique shops.

Article by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com