The funny thing is I'm only 31 but back when I was a preteen I remember my parents taking me "downtown to the waterfront" a lot. We used to go to The Hatch and watch the boats. Sometimes we'd cruise around the Naval Servicemen's Park. (The mannequins of the sailors on the USS Sulivan used to totally creep me out!) I remember there being a lot of activity there in the summertime. That was the 80's, when did it really start to decline?
Is The Hatch even still around?
But I think that the waterfront should be built up with dining and entertainment establishments, NOT A CASINO OR A BASS PRO!
I think people would be happy with a place to get some onion rings and hear a cover band while they watch the boats, nothing too fancy.