One Night in Metro

[boisemetro 85]

Hello and welcome to my first City Journal.  This Journal will take us on a snapshot tour of the City of Metro.  For now I will only be posting the title and a few pics to get started. I will use this first CJ as a sandbox to prepare for future CJs.This city proudly hosts a multitude of BATs and Modds found within SimTropolis and the City of Metro, and myself, are grateful for them.

My regions uses modds, and a few of the larger buildings (BATs) have been plopped. 

The City of Metro is currently employing the following Modds:

    *IPS Money Park Modds

    *Network Addon Mod

    *Plugin_090_SuperDemand

    *Opera House Modd

    *Plugin_Radical Ordinance

    *AutoToggle Ordinance

Welcome to Metro International Airport. My name is David and I will be your host as we tour through the growing City of Metro.  

Our first stop will be at the Airport Courtyard Marriott and at the Airport Days Inn so that you may check in.  Once you have checked in, please leave your luggage in your rooms and re-board. We will then continue with the tour of  the City of Metro.

See you after you have checked in...(and at my next journal entry. Thanks for stopping by and will be back soon... )

[Schulmanator 5,787]

You are off to a fine start. Welcome to the world of CJs. I hope to see more of your work soon.

[penguin007 27]

Welcome to the world of cjing and good luck with this cj. Thats a great start youve made there and it looks to be a dense city. Cant wait to see more!!

Will

[boisemetro 85]

Thank you very much Schulmanator and Will (penguin007) for stopping by. I appreciate what you have said and wish to thank you for the encouragement. =)

[boisemetro 85]

UPDATE #1: Metro City Guide 

Welcome Back.  Here are some facts about the City of Metro.  Metro is divided into 4 sections: Northwest, Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest, as pictured above.  The tour will consist of visiting each section of the city, and the highlights within.  The tour will begin in the Southeast Sector, and rotate counter-clockwise, ending in the Southwest section.

Metro is approximately 200 yrs old in Sim years. The heart of Metro City is intersected by two regional highways.  Metro has an extensive transportation network, including bus, passenger train (no glr track laid as of yet), subway, high-speed monorail, and the only international airport in the region thus far. The are additional 'connector legs' of freeway throughout the city. It is rather easy getting around Metro.

 Metro has a nice mixture of commercial and residential areas. The building styles in Metro vary widely between Euro/Houston type buildings, NY type Buildings, and Asian type buildings. There really is not any industrial zoning in Metro.  Some of the population of Metro commutes to a neighboring city that is largely compromised of industrial businesses for their employment.  And, likewise, some Sims from neighboring cities commute to Metro to places of employment.

Metro has a mostly mature population: 51-60 and 61-70 years of age, yet there is also a representation of all age groups.  Metro is comprised of a highly educated, diverse, medium-low wealth to high wealth population.  The average income is 40K +.   Metro presently offers 305,444 Commercial Jobs in the city (07/18/08). 

Metro is situated on a medium parcel in the growing Region of Flowing Water (as provided in this Aerial map).  The current population of the City of Metro is 217,610.  Current Regional Population: 1.2+MM (07/18/08).  The region is largely undeveloped other than the consistent river flowing through, hence "Flowing Water."  There will be eventual terraforming including mountainous and water filled areas.  For now, the goal is for a highly densely populated core of the region.  Metro is the hub of that core in development. 

(Unfortunately, I must build the highest dense areas in medium and small parcels due to the fact that my SC4 crashes in the larger parcels once it becomes large and busy.  My PC is a Dell Dimension 4600C from 2004.  The problem stems from that I cannot find very much luck locating a larger RAM video card that is also 'half height' that would be compatible with the slim Dell tower.)

[boisemetro 85]

UPDATE #2: Southeast Metro City Tour

 

Welcome to the Southeast Sector of Metro City.  Highlights of the Southeast Sector include: The Airport District, the University District, Business Districts, Medical Center, and Entertainment.

First topic is the Metro International Airport.  Business is good, that is for certain.  The current 'small level' International Airport is nearing capacity.  Traveler's have recently been averaging between 253K and 255K out of a possible 287K.  Dilapidation has been occuring off and on at the MIA recently during spikes of travelers or spikes in crime, possibly both. Below is a snapshot of the Airport District.

As you can see and laugh at, the airport generates 0 pollution.  That is one of the modds.  Although not realistic, the crime at the airport is enough to deal with! =) As you can also see, some buildings are labeled to give credit to the creators and for ease in looking them on the STEX for download.  For the most part, labeling will only be used once per building.  For example, the Fox43a Monorail Stations are in various locations throughout the city so they will only be labeled this one time.  

Airport Focus:  When Metro City was being planned and zoned in its earlier years, attention was placed on the airport zoning.  The result for the airport was a central location with convenience of easy access via freeway and other mediums.  Additionally, roughly 3/4 of the the center section of the city have been regulated as to not allow anything higher than the lowest end of mid-rise development.  As illustrated in the photo, this action was done to keep the area appearrance realistic in the prevention airplanes from possibly crashing (in theory because they of course don't really ever crash in the game).  

Next stop, the Southeastern Metro Business District.  Within the district are many high wealth $$$ businesses.  Also in this district is mixed residential, a college, the Power Plant, the Water Treatment Plant, Water Pumping Stations, and Garbage Chutes.  A snapshot of the district is below.  The newest addition is the JCW Casino Club (which will likely be relocated in the future).  On the chopping block:  Marlin II Radio Dish ( I am a fan but real estate has become very valuable; likely relocation to another smaller city).

Also on the horizon:  Possible relocation of power and water sources to a neighboring city as to allow for additional high commercial and high residential zoning.  Possible relocation of the BSC RP Funland Amusement Arcade to the Resort District (in the Northeast Sector).

Next stop, additional residential and business districts of the Southeast Sector.   Within this district is the Metro City Diamondbacks MLB Stadium, the city-wide Medical Center, Advanced Research Center, The Broadcast Center, and Metro Celebratory Park (on the right near the freeway).  

Our final stop in the Southeast Sector is the Metro State University District.  In addtion to the Metro State University, this district holds five-star hotels, including the 'SHARK Hotel', residential and business developments, and the 'international set plaza' sidewalks.

Thank you for touring the Southeast Sector of Metro City.  Updates to this Sector will be posted as they occur.  The upcoming second tour will be be of the Northeast Sector of Metro City.  Thanks for stopping by! See you on the next tour...

[SimHoTToDDy 2,938]

Kinda cool! My only thing is that the pictures are obscured by the size. You can go up to 800x600, and I would love to see them at their full potential!

Good job,

-Todd

[boisemetro 85]

Hello Todd, 

Thanks for stopping by to look at Metro. =)  I appreciate your feedback.  My thought when rendering the photos was that having them all 800X600 would lag page load to much.  However, I am willing to try it now. 

Thanks~

David

[KingTitan 6]

Looks great friend.....Look forward to more....

BUT!!!! No No No....Multiple postings of one after the other are not allowed. ( See OMNIBUS for posting )

Use your "EDIT" feature.

Great structure of presentation.

[jacqulina 162]

great start and intro my friend

[boisemetro 85]

Thank you King Titan for your comments and advice, both much appreciated.   The only thing I read before starting was the CJ FAQ Mega Post.  And unless I missed it there I had no idea.  I will go to the Omnibus right now. LOL, does that mean I should not have replied to you right now (so soon) and (seriously) that I need to delete  my *future update entries?  I will hopefully find the answer in the Omnibus. Thanks tremendously.  

Thank you as well jacqulina, I appreciate your feedback.  Guess I had better settle down on posting tonight.  Oh well, this gives me time to go and start on the snapshots for my next post.  Hey and to kill some time in between posts, I will go and look at your cj right now. =)

Thanks all that have commented,

David

----------------

EDITED 07/19/08:  Deleted 'UPDATE #3, UPDATE #4, UPDATE #5' for now - all were empty '*Future Posts'

[SirUnger 13]

Great downtown. Good start.

[rusty_777 0]

Welcome to ST and I must say this has started off with a big BANG. haha, it looks great. You have a nice selection of BATs integrated into your city. It's astounding.

[fabsies55 5]

seems like a kool city dude keep up the good work.

your choice of buildings are pretty kool and its nice that uve shown thenames of buildings so if someone likes it and wants it they can get it.

good job

[Theirishnintendonerd 13]

Nice city BUT I would use costom airports (They have a larger capatacy and there smaller

[boisemetro 85]

SirUnger: Thank you for the compliment and for stopping by. Will be over to check out Manhilltion after this update=)

rusty_777:  Wow, thanks for the praise. =) Will be over to check out Revelstoke after this update.  Thanks for stopping by.  =)

fabsies55: Thanks for the compliment and encouragement, and for stopping by.  Glad you like the titles too.  Once they have been put on there, they also make the images seem more formal.  Thank you for stopping by. =)

Theirishnintendonerd:  Thanks for the compliment and for the advice.  Much appreciated.  Are there custom airports that are recommended over overs?  Will do some exploration.  Thanks for stopping by. =)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE# 3:  Northeast Metro City Tour











Welcome to the Northeast Section Tour of Metro City. Section highlights include: More prominent Business Developments, Mixed Residential, and Civic and Luxury Lots.  

First stop: Northeast Sector of Metro City.  This sector features some additional premium towers, including the (recent addition) VenStond Tower One, the Bank of America Plaza, Steerforth Tower, and Technetium Tower.  The sector also has two double sets of one of my favorite SC4 medium residential buildings:  DuBois Place. So they are marked historical. However, one of the two blocks may be taken off the register and allowed to evolve later.  =)



Second stop:  Northeast Corner of Metro City.  This section includes a mixture of commercial, residential and civic lots.  It features: The Living Mall, Cinedom (Historical), and  Lighthouse Tower, and one instance of Ladywood Tower (not Historical).  Up for fire possible disaster scenario and definite relocation:  Lighthouse Tower.  It just seems like it will fit better within a more central location of the city, or at least NOT on the edge of the city map. 



Third stop: (Central) Northeast Sector of Metro City.  This section includes more mixed commercial and residential, and civic lots.   The section features:  Trillton Tower, One Hagley Road Birmingham, McClaren Building Birmingham, ODS Tower, and the Zurich House Building.  This section also includes the luxurious 5-star Metro Day Spa (historical). 



Final stop for this section:   The Resort and Civic section of Metro City.  This section features:  The Peg Memorial Park Set within the Metro Memorial Cemetery.  This section also houses the City Zoo, the SC4 Resort Area, The Metro Country Club, and The Art Deco Hotel Series: Pacifica Hotel, Flamingo Hotel, Excelsior Hotel, and Vermonte Hotel.  This section is also regulated all the way up to the back of The Hogan for building height to allow for airline ascend and descend.   


This concludes this section of the tour.  Next update will include the Northwest Sector of Metro City.  One of the densest sections of Metro City. Thanks for stopping by.=) 

[anarchy0029 2]

Decent start of your CJ. You put out a good display.

[boisemetro 85]

Hello anarchy0029,

Thank you for stopping by to see Metro and for the compliment about the display.  Very happy to report the First Edition of "The Metro Pulse"  will be posted with city news starting with this update.  Hope you come by again.

Thanks,

David

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE #4:  "The Metro Pulse"  City News and Updates

The Metro Pulse.  City News and More.  Vol 1.

Metro International Airport (MIA) has outgrown its capacity!  The Citizens of Metro have spoken.  The Mayor and City Council overwhelmingly agreed to approve a larger International Airport.  Seek and we have received.  An offer was been made by Airport Contractors, Intl.  (ACI) to modify the existing airport to larger 'medium' capacity.  The offer was accepted by City Government and upgrade reconstruction was completed in hardly any time at all, benefiting the citizens of Metro and its neighboring cities.  

The MIA Upgrade has had positive implications already.   The expanded MIA in its new medium size provides the capacity of nearly 500,000 travelers!  Also with the MIA expansion, the City has landed new contracts with two major airline carriers to service its growing passenger base.  The City of Metro Proudly welcomes Japan Airlines for International Flight Services, as well as, Delta Airlines as a Regional, National, and International Carrier.  Competition certainly brings competitive pricing.  Enjoy the benefits, citizens of Metro!  

In a short time, the City of Metro has already begun to experience the positive effects of the expansion.  With the influx of international business travelers and tourists arriving in the City of Metro, great strides in business growth and tourism are on the horizon.

More updates to follow...

In the next issue of The Metro Pulse: Multiple New Commercial Business Construction, Re-zoning of city land parcels, Relocation reconstruction of particular landmarks and some existing businesses, as well as, changes with City Utility Services.  

{  Thank you for stopping by to read this update.  Feedback is always welcome and appreciated. =)  }

[boisemetro 85]

UPDATE #5 Northwest Metro City Tour

Welcome to the Northwest Section Tour of Metro City. Section highlights include: More prominent Business Developments, Mixed Residential, and Metro Opera.  

First stop:  Northwest Sector of Metro City.    This sector features some additional premium commercial and residential towers including: The Vienna Tower, Jun Gold Financial, Chronos Palm Condos, Dorra Bay, Wagner Hotel, Babylon Nightclub, the Tinhao Residential Tower.

Second stop:  Northwest Corner of Metro City.  This section includes a mixture of commercial, residential and civic lots.  Highlights of this section are: One Pacific Place, J Philips Tower III, The Cobb Shoreline, Wolverine Hotel, and the Metro Thundercats Soccer Stadium.

Third Stop:  Northwest (North Central) Section of Metro City.  This section includes more mixed commercial and residential, and civic lots.  Section highlights include: Montauk Gas Company, EJW Corporate Tower, Mori Tower III, Ontario Pacific Center, Tseun Wan  Residential Tower, Hollywood HK Residential Tower, and the 40,000 Capacity Glass Roof Passenger Rail Station.

Final stop in this section: Northwest (Mid Central) Section of Metro City.    This section features: The Metro Opera House, Hotel Coral Essex, The Roswell Inn, Tower Residence, Conrad International, Frank and Archai Tower II, Oceanic Tower, Leamington House, Las Arenas Hotel,  and The Cobb Central Park West.

This concludes this section of the tour.  Next update will include the Southwest Sector of Metro City.  The other of the densest sections of Metro City. Thanks for stopping by.=) 

[rusty_777 0]

Boisemetro there has been a couple of updates that I missed but overall WOW. This is a great start, and to be honest, it's just what I first pictured a CJ to be. Keep up the good...no great work!

Cheers.

[Hawkeye9 0]

Very nice start on your first cj!

You have a very nice skyline there and i cant wait to see more!

[nihonkaranws 88]

Looks nice, but don't use that default Maxis airport, it is really unrealistic. Try the RMIP...

[anarchy0029 2]

It's a beautiful skyline. nihonkaranws is right. Give RMIP a good try it is far better. Otherwise, excellent work.

[SimHoTToDDy 2,938]

Looks great! I think that size works out much better, but I like how you thought about everyone else's load times, its very considerate of you. Anyway, keep it up!

-Todd

[jacqulina 162]

thankyou my friend,great looking updates there,very nice airport,excellent night shots.

[hunkske 53]

Skyscraper City, here I come!! ;-))

Great work, I like the way you've put names on the buildings, it gives the whole thing a personal touch!

[SirUnger 13]

Great nightshots. Very good update. This city is really a skyscraper city!

[boisemetro 85]

rusty_777:  Thank you for your revisiting my CJ and for the compliments.  =) I am a big fan of Revelstoke.  Looking forward to seeing your updates!  

Hawkeye9:  Thank you for stopping by, for the compliment and the encouragement.   Thanks to responses like yours, I am looking forward to adding much more here.  =)

nihonkaranws:  Thanks for stopping by and for the advice. I have looked at the RMIP Airport packs...Very Nice!  Thanks for that suggestion. =)

anarchy0029:  Thanks for stopping by and for the compliments and advice. =)  I am debating a new custom international airport for the region. Will having my airport in another nearby parcel in the region harm my city if the old airport is completely removed?  I could search the forums after this... 

SimHoTToDDy:  Hello again Todd.  Thanks for stopping by again.  I agree completely with the larger photo resolutions... they are much better and easier to see.  Thanks for that suggestion. =)

jacqulina:  Thank you for coming by again, and for the compliments.  I love your region and can't wait to revisit the updates! =) 

hunkske: No doubt, skyscraper city!  I love having at least on towering dense city. Much more to come. =)  And I have really grown fond of the names too.  Glad you like them also.  Thanks for stopping by. =) 

SirUnger:  Thanks for coming by again.  =)  Ah, Skyscrapers... Metro has become the commercial gem of this Region.  How are things in Manhillton?  Will be by to check for updates soon. =)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE #6 Southwest Metro City Tour

Welcome to the Southwest Section Tour of Metro City. Section highlights include: More prominent Business Developments, Mixed Residential, and The Metro Convention Center.  

First stop: Southwest Sector of Metro City.   This section contains some of personal favorites.  Highlights include the AgEcho Tower, Atlantia Tower, The Dohn Building(s).  

Second Stop:   Southwest (Mid Central) Section of Metro City. This section includes a mixture of commercial, residential and civic lots.  Highlights of this section include:  Touran Tower Center, and XDesign Nerloy Corporation, as well as several others previously named.

Third Stop: Southwest Corner Section of Metro City.  This section hosts a dense cluster of commercial developments.  Metro Passenger Rail runs through this area.  Highlights of this section include:  City Tower Hotel, Zhang Ghee Center, Piedmont Bank Tower, The Marriott Hotel, and SFH Tower. 

Final Stop in this section:  Southwest (South Central) Section of Metro City.  This section is a mixture of medium - high density Residential and mid - high density Commercial zoning.  HIghlights of this section include: Warriott Grissom Place Hotel, Korea Life Insurance Building, Tiberian Thanefirst Center, Bank of America, Global Telecom, THe Metro Convention Center (convienently near the MIA), Pearl Place, Mary Arms, both JenP Apartments, and a few others previously named.  

This concludes the original Tour of Metro City.  Thanks for visiting!  The City of Metro has had pleasure in hosting you and hopes that your experience was enjoyable.  

[boisemetro 85]

UPDATE # 7 Metro Snapshot Photo Gallery

Here are some random photo snapshots of in and around Metro.  This is my first snapshot gallery.  There have been many changes to Metro since the 'Tour' started.  Some of those changes may appear in future updates in The Metro Pulse.  Hope you enjoy the photos. =)

A new region is on my plate.  Will be starting a new CJ (RJ) sometime soon... =)

[SirUnger 13]

Again great update. Your nightshots are lookng great.