Seattle, Washington

[lolebagels 0]

And so comes the day you've all hopefully been waiting for... Replies first though .

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@nycsc4 : Thanks for following along! Happy (early) holidays to you too!

@Schulmanator : Yep, bird flu is a scary thing ;D.

@Fallon144 : Lol, no idea where i got the idea for the story from. Thanks!

@Skram : Thanks!

@pquarles : Oooh. I see now. "Broadway" xD. Thanks! Which area of Seattle are you most familiar with?

@owenluby : Thanks!

@dac8767 : Awesome. Thanks a lot for the info! Would you happen to know where the commercial areas are around West Seattle? I know Alaska + California has some...(right now, I'm only working on the areas that I've built roads for). CO$$ has skyrocketed. West Seattle is  middle-class area, am i correct?  Don't worry about me cutting off parts of Seattle. MallowTheCloud made the map so that it's 36x40 km; I think goes west past Puget Sound, east to Lake Sanunamish, and North / South to places so far I can't remember. I think *part* of Vashion Island is included.

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Update 2A: Alki Point

<Story continued from 1C>

Alki Point is the westernmost point in West Seattle, Washington. Jutting out into Puget Sound, Alki was the original white settlement in what was to become the city of Seattle (Ah, I didn't know that! Well, that matches my CJ perfectly then ). Alki today is reminiscent of a California beach town, with a mix of mid-century bungalows, medium-rise waterfront apartment houses, waterfront businesses, a thin beach, and a road with a bike/foot trail running several miles along the water. This section of West Seattle is bounded on the northwest by Elliott Bay; on the southwest by Puget Sound; and on the east by the West Seattle hill. Prominent on the point is the Alki Point Lighthouse, open May-Sept. for those who wish to visit.

- From the oh-so-wonderful Wikipedia.org.

It was the spring of the next year when the Seatonians (? lol) finally recovered their bearings. It was voted that they first rebuild West Seattle, starting from Alki Point. Plans were laid out:

Soon, everyone was in a frenzy of excitement to rebuild Alki Point. Strangely, however, one result of the alien invasion was that everything had to be built on a grid! No matter how much the engineers tried, whenever someone laid a piece of road off the grid, it would magically disappear. Strange, huh.

The first thing to be rebuilt was Alki Elementary School <3010 59th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98166>. This provided an early shelter for the hundreds of people still remaining.

Unfortunately, to the enormous despair of John's little sister, Joann, this meant that students had to once again go to school. Here, two school buses slowly make their rounds, driving along SW Alki Avenue, along the southern end of Alki Beach Park.

Work had also begun on the many mostly middle-class houses lining the streets of Alki Point. To satisfy the growing population of people who turned to God in their current state of despair, the Alki Congregational United Church of Christ had also been rebuilt.

The school buses then had to pass by BAR-S Playground. Apparently, a company named "BAR-S" donated the money to rebuild the park . Nobody was playing at such an early hour in the day, however.

Finally, they reached Alki Point. Strangely, the school buses had hit a bump in the road and magically disappeared. Ah well...

John and Joann's new house was located directly adjacent to the lighthouse. There, they compared old photographs to the new point. Oof, pretty!

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The new Alki Point is, unfortunately not equipped with 3-D, realistic imaging, multi-megapixel detail, and sunset shots. Also, oddly, the stubborn people of West Seattle have refused to move in south of the lighthouse. (Note: first pic is slightly outdated, e.g. Mayor's House and weirdish beach)

After a long day of school for the students, night approaches:

John gave a final glance at Alki Point Lighthouse's lone beacon shining off into the far distance before turning in:

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And so goes my first pictures of Seattle. Hope you enjoyed! Sorry for delaying it a day, but all my teachers seem to be cramming essays and projects into the final week before Break. I may not update until this Friday - Sunday.

As always, thank you for reading . Good night; off to start on my long-procrastinated essay!

[kurtvedder 4]

lolebagels, I live in Medina, WA.

How are you going to do downtown Seattle with the lack of Seattle buildings in the game and on stex?

btw, I believe its Seattleites?

[pquarles 0]

Wow. I was skeptical at first (what with the aliens attracted to the Space Needle and all), but this is looking really good. You've obviously done your homework, and so far this actually looks like Seattle.

Which area of Seattle are you most familiar with?quote>

Unfortunately, not the area you're working with right now. I used to work just east of the Duwamish river from West Seattle, so can help when you move in that direction (e.g., there's a Costco with a huge parking lot around 2200 S. 4th Ave). The area I know best, though, is between Main St. downtown and ~65th St on the north side. Also, I'll be d'mned impressed if you can fit the Waterfront Streetcar into this journal.

@kurtvedder: one of my sister's best friends lives in Medina. You know a Hannah H.?

[kurtvedder 4]

@pquarles: Not that I know of.

[cowcorn 11]

Really great so far. Keep going.

[Cjah 15]

Cool park and a rather interesting mix of bats and such....

Wonder what the next update has to bring?!

[hamsterTK 93]

Ok I get it Aliens destroying everything was to set you up to completely "re" build the city

Keep it up, This should be a good recreation judging from what youve done so far

[asturianu 4]

Oh, yeah, impressive starting! I really like the zone you re-created for the moment, and seeing your style i can think that this will be a great re-creation.

Cristian

[st louis dude 6]

I myself am also doing Seattle.Do you think you could give me some help tips on how to get started?

[lolebagels 0]

Personal Replies 2: <12-13-06>

Been kinda busy lately. Xmas break coming soon! So much homework atm, silly teachers >=O.

There's a couple important things I need to ask before I get into the replies... If anyone knows anything about these, it'd be a GREAT help.

Which parts of I-5 are elevated? The areas I need the most are from Highway 90 south to the Georgetown / Michigan St. area.

What are the exits off the West Seattle Bridge?

Is there any I-HT near West Seattle? I desperately need to find places to zone this.

Thanks in advance!

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Now for the replies:

@kurtvedder : Oh, I see. Unfortunately, it's going to be a while before I expand there >.>. I might have a little trouble with the buildings, but I'll manage. I believe is teemu_om working on the Safeco Field, and there's the Space Needle and BoA Tower. I might try to BAT some of the rest with my newbie skills =]. Thanks for the update on "Seattleites" . It's a strange word...

@pquarles : Thanks! It takes several hours for me to grid a city map, and more if it's hilly. I try to get the things in the right place . I'm slowly expanding into SoDo; it'd be awesome if you could help with just one of the questions above. Waterfront Streetcar? Ehg, never heard of it. Seattle's so complicated @@!

@cowcorn : Thank you!

@Cjah : Thanks. Your guess is as good as mine

@hamsterTK : Yep! Most random thing I could think of, aliens ^^. Thanks!

@asturianu : Woot, thanks. I've been lurking in your CJ for a while now...gave me some great ideas. I really gotta post in it >!

@st louis dude : Well, I'd say you should first start out with an area easy to get a track of. Basically, a place with lots of natural features, preferably by the coast, to give you a base. Make sure it's an area near R, C, and I. Then start with the streets, zone some residential, and you're set! maps.live.com is a great tool.

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Here's an overall shot of my previous update. Forgot ><:



BTW, I'm going to cut off the story now, since it's kinda detracting from the actual re-creation. Look forward to more soon!

[nycsc4 5,250]

it looks so real and beautiful!

I can't wait to see more!

Happy Holidays!

[pquarles 0]

Which parts of I-5 are elevated? The areas I need the most are from Highway 90 south to the Georgetown / Michigan St. area.quote>

That's complicated. It runs along the side of a hill in that area, with the land to east being above the highway, and the land to the west below it. I think some surface roads run underneath it, but others run over it. It's going to be really tough to replicate in the game. Might be easier if the next NAM includes highway puzzle pieces.

Can't really help you with the other questions. There's an interchange between the West Seattle Bridge and 4th Ave, but I don't know any of the others. The Waterfront Streetcar, though, is a kinda touristy old tram line that runs between the International District downtown and the waterfront. Only about a mile, and it's not in the area you're working on right now.

EDIT 12/15: I checked it out on Google Earth, and it looks like only Lucile St. runs underneath I-5 (in the area in question). All other roads that cross I-5 go over it. Hope that helps.

[kurtvedder 4]

You sould include the Duck Car thing that runs tourists around the city.

[asturianu 4]

Wow! Nice view of your re-creation, mate. I really like your style of re-create.

And hard city to re-create you choose, no?

Cristian

[Cjah 15]

I like that over view...amn it certainly ties everything together and the green areas again are really nice....

Not sure about the Elevated I5,but i do know the majority of the I5 by downtown is raised...by one of the Stadiums...

Where are all you Seattle natives at?!?lol

Good luck!

EDIT....yeh maybe pquarles post is best for info on the I5....

[jacqulina 162]

wow this is very interesting and different,great start and updates,on the last pics i see excellent building and layout,wonderfull pics

[kurtvedder 4]

In downtown, I5 has two levels, north bound on top and south bound on the bottom.

[packersfan 666]

Wow, how are you recreating this? Maps and pictures? Cool...I gave up on my Milwaukee recreation...but you are well on your way here.

[lolebagels 0]

It seems like it's going to take longer than expected to make another update, been going out and around with a life , so I've posted a teaser of what's to come. As always, replies first. I have to thank everyone who helped me out with the questions =]

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@nycsc4 : Hey, thanks!

@pquarles : Wow, thanks for the info. It really helped!

@kurtvedder : Rofl, I've never heard of that . Looks pretty interesting. Also, isn't the two-levels thing the Alaskan Way Viaduct? =/

@asturianu : Aye, thanks ;]. Definitely pretty hard, but not that bad, considering some of the CJ's I've seen here.

@Cjah : Thanks!

@jacqulina : Heh, thanks.

@packersfan : Yerp, I'm mostly using a hardcopy map and maps.live.com to see how it looks irl.

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Update 2B: Regional Map <12-16-06>

Only one pic; here's what I've been working on for the past few days:

 

Comparing to:

Thanks, and expect a mega update soon!

[Schulmanator 5,787]

Cool map! I am waiting for that MEGA update!

[kurtvedder 4]

@lolebagels: You're probably right. I tend to avoid I5 because of the traffic.

[pquarles 0]

No problem. I'm a fan of this re-creation, so feel free to hit me up for advice any time. I haven't lived there for like seven years now, but I'll tell you what I can. Looking forward to the update.

[thundercrack83 0]

Wow, in comparing your region map to the actual Seattle map, you are doing a very good job at recreating the city! Keep up the good work and I'll be looking forward to more.

[jacqulina 162]

great map looking forward to more updates

[Mr. Beer 12]

Wow! Wonderful recreation here! Very detailed! Hope to see Kurt Cobain's house and the Kenworth/Paccar plant!!! ;-)

See ya!

Mr. Beer

[asturianu 4]

WOW!! Incredible map and I'm impatient to see the mega update! Nice recreation, mate!

[GMT 389]

wonderful work!

I like how you present real-life pics to compare.

great idea!

waiting for more

[Skram 4]

This has to be the most realistic cj i've ever seen....really!!

[Skram 4]

This has to be the most realistic cj i've ever seen....really!!

[lolebagels 0]

Yes! I'm back! W007! Been a little busy lately with life and some technical problems.. sorry about the lack of updates . Here's that semi-mega-update you've all been waiting for!

Also, before I begin, Merry (belated) Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, etc. etc. to all! ^^

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@Schulmanator: Heh, thanks!

@kurtvedder: Oh, I see. Traffic, horrible things that should've never been invented

@pquarles: I can see you still remember quite alot! xD

@thundercrack83: Thanks, I try my best

@jacqulina: tytytyty!!

@Mr. Beer: Rofl, nice sig btw. Now I have something to share >

@asturianu: Thanks!

@GMT: I kinda copied the idea from another CJ...anyways, nobody's supposed to know that xD

@Skram: Tch..far from it... Thanks a bunch though ^^

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Update 3A: Harbor Island

Looming far into the murky distance is a tower of rocks unknown to the battered crew. A jet of sea spray slam into the moldy shape of the ship. Suddenly, a brilliant beacon of light flashes out a warning - and the hulk makes a desperate turn. The wooden rudder creaks, but the ship swings out of reach of the menacing boulders just in time. With the turn, the once-palpable fog vanishes, and the sailors let out a shout -- Land Ho! It's Harbor Island!



"Harbor Island is a man-made island in the mouth of Seattle, Washington's Duwamish Waterway where it empties into Elliott Bay. Built by the Puget Sound Bridge and Dredging Company, Harbor Island was completed in 1909, and at the time was the largest man-made island in the world, at 350 acres (1.4 km²). Since 1912, the island has been used for commercial and industrial activities, including secondary lead smelting, shipbuilding and repair, bulk petroleum storage, metal fabrication, and containerized cargo shipping. Warehouses, laboratories, and other buildings are located on the island. Fishermen use the waters around Harbor Island for shellfishing, crabbing, and fishing."

--Taken from en.wikipedia.org

RL pix:




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We start our pixellated journey at the port cranes on the East Waterway:



The opposite side deals with crude... and garbage o_o





Of course, all that cargo has to go somewhere!





All this is shipped by train...







...and truck...



...off the island...





What about the imported oil?



Oh wait! Did I hear oil? We all know what oil feeds..!



And with oil, BOOM comes the fire (and a fire dock!)



All these ships OBVIOUSLY need a place to be built and repaired!



We swivel our camera to the south end of the island.  Awaow; a huge change in scenery! There, we find a calm marina, frequented by the rich. Seattle's Green Line has built a station here:



With that, our trip to Harbor Island ends. Thank you, and Happy New Year!