There was an amusement boom in the 1960s-1970s, when local amusement parks consolidated into regional theme parks. But more competition, easier long-distance travel, and ever-higher construction costs mean even large theme parks turn out to be only marginally profitable, unless they draw national (aka Disney-sized) crowds. Hence, the amusement-park map (sorta like the MLB map!) still has a northeastern tilt that largely reflects the nation’s population distribution circa 1980 or so.
Lake Crabtree would be enhanced by some restaurants overlooking the lake near the Metlife/Verizon buildings
The state’s 50’ Neuse River riparian buffer requirement is a boon to local water quality. But it does make it nearly impossible to have a waterfront restaurant.
It’s a shame that the Umstead Hotel is where it is, vs. at the west end of the Weston Lakeside apartments or the Verizon building – their elevation above the lake surface also helps ensure some actual water views through the trees. Similarly, StateView could’ve been built on the slope below Hunt Library; having 30’ of additional elevation over Lake Raleigh, and an already-thinned tree buffer where the existing boat ramp parking is, would have meant better over-the-trees lake views. (There’s still potential for a building there, per the recent Centennial Campus zoning filing.)