Resident Profile: Greg Nyburg

Akron Civic Commons is highlighting the neighbors and partners that make our work in downtown Akron, Ohio & Erie Canal Park, and Summit Lake possible. This week, we’re highlighting Greg Nyburg, a new resident in Downtown, and a supervisor with the City of Akron’s Recreation and Parks Division at Reservoir Park and Community Center.

Tell us about how you came to live Downtown. How long have you lived here?

I moved downtown in February of 2020. I actually worked downtown as a part-time supervisor at Lock 3 and the main part of what our job was there was to plan things to get people to come downtown. Even though I am working somewhere else now, I still love the potential downtown has, and I wanted to play an active role in making it successful. I don’t think there is a more active role than being one of its residents. 

What do you enjoy about living Downtown?

I love the walkability of it. One of the nicest things about living down here is being right on the towpath. I go for plenty of runs out to Summit Lake (also an extremely beautiful area) and back. I cannot wait to see how everything looks down here at Christmas time.

Do you think there are any misconceptions about living Downtown and how would you assuage those concerns for somebody?

I think people may be concerned with the lack of stores currently downtown. But to me it is one of those chicken or the egg scenarios. You need people living in an area to justify retail but you need retail to want to live in an area. I am just excited to see so many people moving into the neighborhood.

What do you hope to see in Downtown Akron's future?

I would absolutely love a grocery store and an active nightlife. I personally don’t participate in much after 8 PM, but I love the energy that radiates from an active nightlife. A huge shout out to Downtown Akron Partnership who works tirelessly to plan things for people to do downtown.