Are there limits on how far a waterless downtown can go?

Can a major city that has its downtown in a waterless area (no lakes, rivers, ocean, bay, etc.), even one that is a major business center and is economically important, truly have that special, ultimate downtown location it wants? Is a watefront essential to create the right environment, to bring the folks downtown to live and to play....or can a city do quite nicely without that waterfront? If water were to be considered essential, would the relatively narrow creeks, rivers, or canals in places like Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Denver, Indy (canal), LA (LA River) work? UTLIMATELY HOW IMPORTANT IS WATERFRONT TO A MAJOR CITY'S DOWNTOWN?>