RDU now wants to make the area nestled on 136 acres next to Lake Crabtree off I-40 and Aviation Parkway a recreation and wellness destination. They're looking at options such as white-water kayaking and potential retail spaces and hotels.
Dozens lined up to give their thoughts on what should go there at the first public input session at Cary Senior Center. But for right now, the RDU Airport Authority CEO said it is still up in the air.
"I like some of these concepts that they've actually got. It's kind of interesting things like zip lines, climbing walls, things that are fun to do, and it's compatible with the existing property there," said RDU Airport Authority CEO Mike Landguth. "So you've got Lake Crabtree Park that's got, you know, lake access, picnic areas, you know, sailboats, those types of things. We want to develop this in a way that complements that park."
Some are skeptical. Natalie Lew has been concerned about the development around Umstead Park for years.
She worries that with even more expansion around the Triangle, it can't afford to lose any more green space.
"This idea of all this, these water features and where they have the manmade waves and all that kind of stuff, it's just a, if you do that, you're not going to have room for all the other stuff. And what we need in this community is the forest, because you got, you know, where the Lenovo Center's going, that's all going to be developed into an entertainment district. You've got the Research Triangle Park, which is changing their charter," Lew said.
The CEO says he understands those concerns, and he said the project would try to protect the nature that's already there.
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"That's a great challenge for our developer. But I think our developers up to the challenge. And I think they're looking at those things, things like impervious surfaces, limiting the impact of the canopy in terms of removing trees. So I think they're going to be very thoughtful in that space," Landguth said.
This is still in the planning stages. There are still a few more public meetings, and Landguth said that within 90 days, they hope to have their list of options narrowed before deciding on a more concrete plan.
ALSO SEE | Lease deal reached for original part of Lake Crabtree County Park