Resident Profile: Sean Blake
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 Sean Blake, Civil Engineer with the City of Akron and proud Kenmore resident.
Tell us a little about your role with the City of Akron.
I am a Civil Engineer I with the Water Distribution Division. Essentially, I oversee ongoing construction projects to make sure that they are carried out properly and to the specifications of the Water Department. Whenever I am not on a construction project, I am usually either helping the people in the office produce plans for upcoming projects or working with our maintenance staff on internal projects such as larger repairs, water line relocations, and service line renewals. I hold an Ohio EPA Water Distribution I license which means that I am qualified to operate our distribution system.
What do you like most about your role?
I absolutely love seeing the city and meeting people from all over town. Akron is such a beautiful city with such beautiful neighborhoods and some of them I would have never gone to if not for my work. I enjoy meeting people from different neighborhoods and listening to their stories while helping them get their problems solved. I also enjoy the challenge of sometimes having to “think on my feet” as problems come up quickly in the water distribution system and it is necessary to have a quick response. I am also a huge local history buff, and my job has taken me into some awesome Akron landmarks.
Could you share in what Akron-area neighborhood you reside?
I live in the neighborhood of Kenmore, and I’m proud of it. I’m actually a fourth generation Kenmore resident. My great-grandpa built one of the buildings in our downtown.
What do you like most about living in this area?
Ever since I was growing up, Kenmore has had a lot of pride in its neighborhood. We also have a lot of hard working and dedicated people that live here. Our beautiful downtown is full of very awesome historic buildings. Kenmore is very accessible to other neighborhoods of Akron and surrounding communities, thanks in part to the Kenmore Leg expressway.
What is a “must-see” for visitors coming to the Akron area?
I might be a little biased but I think everyone should come see a show at the Rialto Theatre on Kenmore Boulevard. This historic building was one of the first “Silver Screen” theatres back in the 1930s. The current owners have modified it into an absolute amazing place to see live music and plays. We also have some other specialty business on the Boulevard so it makes for a good day trip. After that, I would go to the new Metro Parks Pump House Visitor’s Center at Summit Lake. It’s been amazing to watch construction on that building this year. Some other Akron stops would be the Civic Theatre, the Akron Zoo, Canal Park Stadium, Temo’s Chocolates, and the Peanut Shoppe. Before I got diagnosed with celiac disease last year, some of my favorite restaurants were Pierre’s Pizza, Bob’s Hamburg, Mary Coyle’s, and New Era.
What would you like to see in Akron’s future? In the future of your neighborhood?
I absolutely love what is going on in Downtown Akron right now. From the reconstruction of Main Street to all of the new apartments and storefronts going in, it is amazing to watch. I think people will be moving back into the heart of our big cities in the future and all of the changes in downtown are setting Akron up for success. For Kenmore, I would love to see Kenmore Boulevard reconstructed just like Main Street downtown to make it accessible to everyone: vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, and busses. I would also like to see Manchester Road (Route 93) reconnected to Kenmore Boulevard. I think removing the bypass bridge would bring more traffic to that end of the Boulevard and create more opportunities for businesses, and create a link from Kenmore to the Summit Lake neighborhood. It would also be nice to see more new single-family residential houses being built in Kenmore.
Anything else you’d like us to know?
When I am not at work, I try to volunteer a lot in my community. Helping others gives me a feeling of satisfaction at the end of the day. I am a 2018 graduate of the University of Akron. For recreation I enjoy playing soccer, running, hiking, biking, zip-lining, and pretty much just anything outdoors. If you drive down Kenmore Boulevard you will probably see me riding my bike down the bike lanes to Summit Lake!