There are different definitions for "Downtown Akron":

It is the area within the boundaries of the Special Improvement District, within which property owners pay assessments to fund the operation of the Downtown Akron Partnership;

It is the area previously identified by Akron city planners as the "central business district," a term which is used to apply for funding from the federal government;

It is the area within the boundaries of the Downtown Community Entertainment District, within which owners of liquor permits are exempt from local precinct options; and,

It is the area defined by visitors when they say they are going to a place located in "Downtown Akron." It is the broadest and most useful definition and includes the University of Akron, the Akron Zoo, and Akron’s hospitals.

Downtown Akron is a place with multiple purposes:

It is the largest employment center in Summit County.
Approximately 30,000 people work in the area of Downtown Akron

It is the government center of Summit County.
City, County, State, and Federal government offices are here

It is the largest entertainment center in Summit County.

The area within a one hour’s drive of Downtown Akron is the 5th largest entertainment market (population) in the United States

2.8 million people each year visit with a specific purpose or event in mind (a ball game, a theater performance, a visit to the Library, the NIHF, or the Art Museum, a concert, or a city-sponsored parade or live event.)

An additional 350,000 people each year visit a downtown club or restaurant.

In the future, if it is to reach its potential, Downtown Akron must provide a diverse stock of affordable housing for young singles and couples as well as seniors; and a selection of upscale housing alternatives for both young professionals and retirees.

To function effectively, Downtown must be:

User-friendly
Vibrant
Clean
Safe

And, it must be perceived as having those qualities by the casual visitor.

To be user-friendly, the Downtown must:

Be accessible by highway -- for daily commuters and visitors alike

Provide parking for vehicles at a competitive cost

Be accessible by transit -- for those who do not drive by choice, by reason of disability, or personal circumstance.

Provide convenient services for the operation of businesses including retail and food services, and actively encourage the installation of Wi-fi throughout the district.

Provide services to visitors including information kiosks and restrooms

To be vibrant, the Downtown must:

Announce to the visitor that they have arrived at a place,"Downtown Akron."

Be aesthetically interesting,

Be pedestrian-friendly,

Value the authentic over the imitation,

Provide a diversity of experiences, including music and art,

Reward the visitor by overcoming skepticism with positive experiences,

Be a place that is continuously interesting by promoting positive surprises.

To be clean, the Downtown must:

Provide for the cleaning of the public right of way as a shared expense

Encourage property owners to meet standards of cleanliness

Provide convenient trash receptacles and make the elimination of litter a personal responsibility.

To be safe, the Downtown must:

Provide well-lighted public spaces including parking areas,

Evidence the presence of police officers on foot and on bike,

Make it easy for the visitor to obtain directions and locate their destination

Pro-actively manage the issue of panhandling in constitutionally appropriate ways,

Immediately eliminate graffiti as it appears.