Buffalo Region

[Sabretooth78 808]

So after viewing several city journals and wishing I could do as good a job, I decided to take a crack at it myself.  In this thread I'd like to show off some of the features of my cities that I'd like to feel are somewhat distinctive and maybe even unusual.  I'll probably end up highlighting my road network as I'm a real-life transportation engineer and I find that easily to be the most fascinating part of this game.  So here goes...

 

Region as a whole:  This is a custom map made from downloaded USGS NED data and modified to make the rivers "work".  It's huge, 30 km square if I remember correctly.  I like a big slate even if it takes me forever to build it.  I use no cheats, and no mods that introduce new features to the game, besides T7T's avenue to one way connection.  I do however use Traffic Cop, T7T's latest bugfix, and the darker water color mod.

 

The map was inspired by my hometown of Buffalo, NY (I'm originally from Hamburg, a suburb, before my career banished me to NH), and hence the naming of my cities.  There are a few parallels to real-life with the layout of this city, such as placement of some of the industrial zones on the lakefront, a vague resemblance in the highway layout, and the distribution of population.  Besides that, this is entirely fictional.  Region population to date is almost 130,000, with 27,000+ in Buffalo, 18,000+ in E. Buffalo, 13,000+ in Black Rock, and 11,000+ in S. Buffalo to round out the population center.  For the purposes of my region (in a parallel to real life), I'm considering the City proper to consist of the cities (districts) of Buffalo, Black Rock, East Buffalo, Delaware Park, South Buffalo, Cazenovia, and McKinley.

 

Region View:

Satellite:  (this should give a feel for the size)

 

Transportation View: (the off-white lines are avenues)

Highway Layouts:
City of Buffalo, Buffalo District:

The Boulevard of Downtown Buffalo.  Originally a road but expanded due to massive congestion.  Traffic has dramatically decreased in recent years to provide a nice pedestrian-accessible central business district.

This is the central bypass in the City of Buffalo.  Constructed to relieve congestion on the downtown boulevard from commuters to the industrial areas at lower left, this avenue is now becoming congested and a freeway alternative is being planned.

Another view of the avenue network showing a portion of the downtown boulevard.

Connection at the East Buffalo line, which has already been upgraded to highway to address commute times.  Preliminary engineering for interchanges has begun but it will be a massive, costly, and time-consuming process.

North of the Downtown on the Black Rock Expressway extension of the bypass.  This realignment was constructed to address congestion and commute times on the old road (at top right).  Interchanges are planned to alleviate accidents due to the abrupt at-grade intersections.

City of Buffalo, Black Rock District:

The current northern terminus of the Black Rock Expressway in Black Rock.  Note the path of the old road, sections of which have been removed and planted.

Avenue portion of the Black Rock bypass.  Eventually to be absorbed by the Black Rock Expressway, but traffic volumes do not warrant upgrade at this time.

A residential development springing up at the northeast corner of the bypass.

City of Buffalo, East Buffalo District:

Continuation of the future expressway out of Downtown Buffalo as it snakes around the residential areas.  Portions of this road are nearing capacity and upgrades are planned for the near future.  Near center is Pane View Apartments, currently the region's tallest structure.

Large amounts of commuter traffic necessitated the construction of this over-built avenue as this small village in SE East Buffalo was being choked off.

Avenue complex to the northeast of the residential area, providing a quick commute to Delaware Park for many Downtown residents.  Potential site of the region's first cloverleaf (in the planning stages with the future eastern leg to this intersection, the road at lower center).  At top left is the beginning of the Delaware Park Expressway, another overbuilt avenue with at-grade intersections.

City of Buffalo, Delaware Park District:

The abrupt end of the Delaware Park Expressway in Delware Park, this district is currently financially strapped and apparently has other priorities!

City of Buffalo, Cazenovia District:

The village of Cazenovia, largely a farming community of about 1,000 Sims, is the unfortunate recipient of South Buffalo to East Buffalo commuters.  As a result the existing road was bypassed and downgraded to a frontage street.

City of Buffalo, South Buffalo District:

Short avenue along the well-to-do waterfront, this will eventually become part of a north-south expressway to the Downtown center.  The townspeople are none too happy about that!

More to come shortly...

[Sabretooth78 808]

Views of Sims' Lives:
City of Buffalo, Buffalo District:

Peace Park, the centerpiece of a new development northwest of downtown on the lakefront.  The park commemorates the almost 200 years of peaceful relations between the US and Canada.

The inner basin area, just outside downtown on the lakefront.  Property here is becoming quite expensive, and the demand is only increasing.  Some plans even call for the removal the lakefront avenue to open up more land to development, as the avenue never has fully developed into it's intended use.

Pilot Field, home to Buffalo's new MLS (Minor League Soccer) "Buffalo Blizzard".  The construction was funded in conjunction with the City College.

 

City of Buffalo, Black Rock District:

In the "strange road layout" category - this used to be the only way to go to get to the industrial jobs in Black Rock.  Replaced by the avenue at right, it has now become a relaxing gateway to the growing high-tech sector which has steadily been replacing the traditional dirty industry jobs in the city.

This "intersection" just to the northeast of center Black Rock shows that you can indeed connect 6 streets and a railroad in a somewhat organized manner!

Black Rock is known throughout the region for the best (and only!) beach waterfront.  A welcome change from the almost wasteland-ish shorelines of Downtown and South Buffalo!

City of Buffalo, Delaware Park District:

Delaware Park residents are not those to embrace traffic lights.  But when engineers decided that enough was enough downtown, this avenue was built, and along with it the first (and one of only two existing signals) in the district.  By the way, the sims here hate roundabouts too!

Delaware Park bypass.  You can't go forever without signals unless you want expensive highway projects like this!  The Delaware Park Expressway extension ties in at lower left - the other signalized intersection!

City of Buffalo, South Buffalo District:

South Buffalo central business district.  Note the one-way "square" circling downtown.

Apartment row along the Buffalo River.

City of Buffalo, Cazenovia District:

The quiet village of Cazenovia.  Probably not to remain as such for much longer, however.

Town of Sloan:

Another good road layout.  The road running from center bottom through the diagonal road was recently re-aligned.  The parallel street is a relic from the old alignment as access needed to be maintained to the office building.

Town of Blasdell:

The quiet farming community of Blasdell.

From Trails to Rails
Some interesting rail layouts:

From Delaware Park, here's one of my trademark, waste-of-space rail "interchanges".  I've noticed in SC4 that trains can switch tracks that don't necessarily curve into each other, but I prefer realism to function sometimes.

From Kenmore, here's a junction of 5 railroad legs.

And the mother of them all (and my personal favorite), from the industrial wasteland of south-central downtown Buffalo.  The rich citizenry of the lakefront are determined to take this area away eventually!

More to come...

[Ryan B 35]

Sweet - finally someone starts the town where my favorite hockey team resides! (Also - I live around 50 miles NE of Buffalo)

Don't forget to put some form of arena where the HSBC is. (lol!)

btw: Where can I find this region terrain map? I want to build on it.

[Sabretooth78 808]

And let's not forget the bridges that bring us all together!

Here's the pride and joy of the City of Buffalo Public Works and Highways Department:  The Inner Harbor bridge - nothing spectacular or signature, but a 40,000 simoleon money-pit, none the less! (Note this shot was taken before the water color suspiciously became darker.)

A night-time view of the bridge from the south.  Note the old roadway.  The bridge at bottom used be located about 5 tiles north but needed to be relocated to make room for the avenue embankment.  Hence the kink in the roadway.  The avenue that ends short of the bridge at center was originally where the avenue bridge was proposed to cross (and therefore tie into the central bypass) but the engineers decided to tie it into the boulevard in downtown instead, leaving a spur avenue in the industrial area.  It still handles enough traffic to justify the avenue status, however.

Same view as the one above, only before the bridge construction.  Note the embankments are already constructed, and the intersection at downtown abutment has been reconfigured (it used to be a Y-split before being changed to a double-T due to grading constraints)

Another avenue bridge in South Buffalo.

Old double-span truss in Cazenovia.  This bridge is congested but no funds exist to upgrade the bridge.  Such is life!

It is possible to get some nice slope transitions without mods, as evidenced in this bridge from the boonies of Blossom.

This time, a rail bridge in Blossom.

Historic stone-arch bridge in Winchester.  Realignment from a pure T-intersection at the top has just taken place, the road branching off at top right used to be the main road until the small commercial district was bypassed a few years ago.

A rare find in this part of the country, a covered bridge in Blossom.

My personal favorite, from the suburb-city of Depew.  Whoever said bridges can't fit in beautifully didn't see this one.

[Sabretooth78 808]

ryanb - If you would like a copy of my region bitmap and config files, just send me an email via PM and I'll send it to you.  I suppose that applies to anybody else who might read this as well.  It's too big to attach to this message.  Keep in mind, however, that it will take a fair amount of time on even a new PC since it's a very large region.  Also, once it is generated you will need to go in and "dredge" the rivers farther away from the lake if you want them to show up properly and not be dammed every so often thanks to the sea level limitation in SC4.  So you end up with something that looks like a canyon out in East Aurora and those areas, but I've learned to deal with it...for now...

 

-Chris

 

No Goal!

I may live in NH now but rest assured I still hate the Bruins lol

[lewellan222 3]

Glad to see some one is working on Buffalo. I'm in Fort Erie, right across the river, and love Buffalo because it is an architectural treasure trove!

 

You'll be happy to know that once I master the Building Architect Tool (BAT)...or should I say, if I master it, I will be making Buffalo's City Hall (shown below for you non-Buffalonians), and of course, the Buffalo Central Terminal. You'll just have to put them in your city...

 

Buffalo City Hall

[AfroThunda 1]

HEY! my home town! Good old Buffalo, but I actually live outside the city (about 20 minutes) in East Aurora. Is there anyway you could try your hand at recreating Historical EA? Well the region looks good so far! I cant wait to see some more updates. Oh yes and dont forget the Peace Bridge.

-Afro

[eppisgood 6]

I love the regional shots, especially the farmlands.

[+Guest]

Wow! The thing I appriciate most is that your transportation networks look ...for lack of a better word...right. I always have trouble planning something that not only looks good, but looks real. Awesome job, you gave me some great ideas to play with.

[MayorVieira 1]

I love everything about this region! The road layouts are great (lots of interesting intersections, many one-way roads). I love the amount of farmland. I love the rail intersections (as you stated they are unnecessary, but I also build them in my region). I love the bridges. I love the map. Just great!

[+Guest]

Nice region, Did you put the Buffalo LRT in downtown?

[amdinside 2]

Thats a big region. The bridges are nice but my favorite so far are the rail networks.

[RobledoRessainance 36]

IMO that's one of the best designed cities, I guess traffic goes fine, or at least it looks beautiful. I also like your city because it's not a skyscraper forest, looks excellent.

[Sabretooth78 808]

Thanks for the compliments!  It's nice to finally throw something of my own up on here.  Those of you that have your own regions, I know I've seen some of them as I always like to try and pick a few new ideas out every now and again - keep up the good work yourselves!  I'll try to be consistent in adding new pictures but it's going to be a bit tough for the next week or so.  But I am taking the week off from work!

 

lewellan222 - I agree with the city's architecture, it's definitely one of the most eclectic and diverse groups of styles I've ever seen.  With all the grandeur you can get a feel for what the city must have been like at the turn of the century when it was the 4th or 5th largest city in the US?  And yes I would love to see Buffalo City Hall in SC4, if not just for the beautiful art deco architecture, but since it's one of the largest city halls in the world.  Another building I wouldn't mind seeing is the HSBC Center (or as I still prefer to call it the Marine Midland Center because that sounds better).  I know it's a rather bland boxy building, but I have to say alot of SC4's buildings are almost too pretty.  Another building I'd like would be the Niagara Mohawk tower (with Christmas lighting and the New Year's Ball I insist is nicer than Times Square's).

 

For those of you not familiar:

HSBC Center - http://www.emporis.info/en/il/pc/?id=126214&aid=8&sro=1

Niagara Mohawk Bldg - http://www.emporis.info/en/il/pc/?id=126205&aid=8

 

AfroThunda - I don't know how reasonable a representation of East Aurora I can do (especially since Cazenovia Creek is practically a canyon in my region due to the sea level issue) but I wouldn't think it'd be too difficult.  After all alot of the smaller villages I build in SC4 have the same character.  I was actually there this past summer...went to Viddler's and bought a bunch of cheap penny candy.  And to think Wal-Mart is eliminating great places like that nation-wide, it's a shame.  Also as a side note, have you ever been to Earl's restaurant down in Chaffee?   As for the Peace Bridge, I got a nice idea where I would place a bridge in Black Rock that would be in about the same location.  The only problem is SC4 bridges just aren't that ugly .  I was thinking of erecting a nice cable-stay there or something just to see what it might look like once (if) the bridge authority gets their act straight on a design for a much needed replacement/parallel span.

 

tHe Dark_Child - Sorry for not knowing, but I'm not sure what LRT stands for?  Do you mean the Metro Trolley that runs down Main Street?  If so, it's been an idea of mine to create but obviously I would never be able to do it justice until SC4 got a good light rail option.  But who knows what I'll do.  One thing I do have to admit is I have used very little of the MT options in SC4 - perhaps simply because I've never built a city larger than 27,000 yet, or the fact that I'm a total roadgeek.  But I'll fit them in eventually...I'll have to!!

 

Keep up the comments and I'll keep up the construction!

 

-Chris

[MayorVieira 1]

I really can't wait to see more, sargeantcm! I mean it, show us more pictures!

[bootrungar 0]

The region looks very nice so far.  I agree that the transportation network looks realistic.

[Sabretooth78 808]

Well I decided to scrape together a few more pics of various proposed highway improvement projects to keep you viewers happy - here they are:

 

Coming Attractions
Ongoing improvement studies for the Buffalo-East Buffalo Corridor:

Overview of the subject highway in Buffalo.  Growing traffic volumes on this stretch of highway are causing concerns about the roadway not being able to meet the demands of future traffic growth.  Of particular concern is the close proximity of the 3 intersections to the left of the picture -- proposed designs have this complex being converted into either 1 or 2 interchanges to address safety concerns.  Goes to show that despite pre-planning for wider roadways, large property takes are inevitable.  (The industrial zone is partially clear because the mayor does not like when dirty industry relocates to the high-tech neighborhood.)

 

The same highway just over the East Buffalo line.  The recent construction of the Pane View Condos and Orange Pointe Suites (which has helped to push the District's population over 21,000, has only exacerbated the already poor conditions along this stretch, particularly the intersection at Electronics Parkway (lower left corner).  The combination of closely spaced intersections and the rail line should provide for an interesting end result here.

Close-up of the most troubled stretch.

Congestion map of the same area.  To add to the cost of this project, a re-alignment of roads through the industrial park is in the works.  One plan calls for adding a fourth leg to the T-intersection at left center.

The other Buffalo-East Buffalo connection (this one is near the northern edge of the population center).  This area, although congested, offers little opportunity for upgrade.  The only real alternative is a bypass, but not much attention has been spent on this one due to the concerns at the southern connection.

Same connection from the East Buffalo side.

Congestion map of the above.  Major work will need to be proposed here, as this is East Buffalo's fastest growing neighborhood.

Transportation map of the immediate area showing proposed (master plan) highways in peach.  Obviously this map does not account for sprawl, at which time more highways and avenues will surely be added.

Just thought I'd throw a beautiful sunrise photo of the Downtown Buffalo.  The Bracchia Tower (at left) is the city's largest building.

Just a note:  I may be slow with updates for the next week as I will be travelling to my parents' for Christmas.  I'll still have SC4 handy, but a dial-up connection instead of the usual broadband.  I'll try to keep up though! 

[AfroThunda 1]

sargeantcm, thanks for repling to my post, of course I have been to Earl's. Actually my father used to work in Arcade a little further out RT16. Well I'm glad to hear that your going to do something with the Peace Bridge. I also agree with you on the Walmart statement. Well I am really enjoying your journal so keep up the great work!

-Afro

[SkyTearer 10]

On the realistic scale, its a 9/10! Awesoomely realistic, sprawling agriculture, many winding and curvy roads and streets, looks like a shibbylicious canidate to me!

[dollarbillmontgomery 0]

Very nice looking region. Like your bridges and your road layouts, but I think you might of O.D.d on the railroads in the industrial area. Either way, great work and keep posting.

[Sabretooth78 808]

And I return with photos of some of the work I accomplished during the last week, but was unable to display due to dial-up

[tlannister 1]

If you haven't discovered it yet the whit estreaks in your last pic are a Maxis Easter Egg gift for Christmas where snow accumulates on higher areas for Christmas day only. Kinda of nice in mountain regions but it stinks it is only for the one day.

[Sabretooth78 808]

tlannister - What I actually meant was the breaks in the snow.  But anyways, I noticed that when my brother was playing on his computer and it showed snow.  Knowing I hadn't installed any mods to add it, I instantly looked into it on my computer and it took a few minutes to realize that if I changed the system date, it went away.  However, on his machine the white was solid, where on mine it's streaky (it does turn up solid at higher elevations though). So I think either the streakiness is a graphic glitch on my part (it didn't bother me enough to look into it), or it's just because it's supposed to look "feathered" at the threshold elevations, and since my elevation changes are so gradual, I got what I got.

I fully agree it would be great if someone could mod this to unlock that snow for all days.

-Chris

[tlannister 1]

lol my bad......Since you had said you were gone for the holiday didn't know if you had missed that or not

[MTLT_17 26]

Very BEAUTIFUL! This is just, WOW! The farming area is truly great. Keep up the good work. More updates plezzz!

[Sabretooth78 808]

Here are a couple of shots from recent development in the Downtown district, which has had a growth spurt and now contains 31,000 sims.

 

Construction of the new Erie Basin Marina has helped to further spark the high-wealth development along the Buffalo Waterfront.  Significant dredging was needed to deepen the basin to accomodate the marina complex, which has expansions already on the drafting table.

Educational opportunities have been improved by the construction and accreditation of the new Buffalo State University.  The University has since absorbed the City College.

[Ron Swanson 1]

Hey what a fun region! It has some diversity, I really love the highways especially by the walls. Reminds me of parts in Whichita, KS. The farms are cool, and the rail systems add a very realistic effect. Nice job....

[LoKi2276 0]

You think you might be able to some how post a picture of your zones? I am curious to see what all you go going on in there (Buffalo).

Thanks

[Sabretooth78 808]

LoKi2276 - Sure, I'll be updating again soon since I obviously haven't for a while.  I've been busy trying to learn the BAT lately so I haven't even played for a few weeks now, but I'm starting to miss playing the game now!

[Sabretooth78 808]

Here's a quick view of the zoning layout in the downtown area:

 

First a satellite view:

http://users.adelphia.net/~sargeantcm/sc4rh/journal/0078.jpg border=0>

 

And here's the same view with the zoning: (also a good view of the road layout)

http://users.adelphia.net/~sargeantcm/sc4rh/journal/0079.jpg border=0>

 

Sorry I haven't been good at keeping this updated, but I'm done with the BAT for a while now and should be getting a little more going with this region and the journal.  More to come in the near future...

 

-Chris