Chicago

[ardecila 124]

Getting back on topic, some of the High-Tech buildings look Futurist/Art Deco, great for your Century of Progress, Zeb.

The 'Mart - Hadn't really considered it. Wells St. runs on a diagonal next to it, leading to the same type of problems that prevent Times Square and/or the Flatiron building.

I MIGHT model Soldier Field. I also like the old Soldier Field immensely. However, SFII IS a Chicago landmark. I like to think of it like Alaska - perceived as worthless until we got there.

To settle some sports-related issues in this thread - As much as I would LOVE to start a baseball-related flame war with Chozo, I think we should keep such real-life-based grudges OUT of SimCity, and this board. I DON'T work at Wrigley Field, which is why I wrote my team. BTW, while the Cardinals are the bane of every Cubs fan, I do like St. Louis, and plan to simulate it (after the GMax). It's a beautiful city, not too big, not too small, with great amenities. (You can city-brag, I can too.)

[The Great Chozo 34]

Ardecilia,

 

I wasn't trying to start a flame war. I was just merely tossing out some true, but not so pretty facts about baseball in the windy city. It was, and is all in good fun. I hope you can take it that way, and yes, I know that the Cards. are the bane of the Cubs, but the 'Stros are in the same division. They are my team, so I have to pull for them.

 

Honestly I hope you do render Wrigley Field, and Busch Stadium. I think the game needs more real world options for athletic facilities. So best of luck to you if and when you start those projects.

 

Chozo

[zeb_fisher 0]

The worlds busiest corner...

 

 

 

Hopefully I'll get time to put some updates tomorrow.

[zeb_fisher 0]

Well finally, an update on Chicago!

 

This image shows the location of various points of interest that tourist to the windy city seem to enjoy:

 

Constructed in 1886, the Auditorium building combines hotel, office, and a theatre space for an opera company. Near the Auditorium building is the Fine Arts building. Built by the Studebaker company to display their carriages, the building now contains studios housing some of the cities finest artists and craftsmen.

 

 

Near the University of Illinois campus is the Jane Adams Hull House. Jane Addams helps immigrants settle into the city.

 

Reid, Murdoch & Company, a wholesale grocery company, built this building to combine their warehouse and offices into a central location.

 

Housing some of the world's most famous paintings, the Art Institute of Chicago serves as both a school and a museum of fine arts. On the north side of Michigan Avenue rests the Library and Cultural Center. Made of fine marble and Tiffany Glass, this building serves as a permanent, public library.

 

This fine building along the north bank of the canel was built by William Wrigley Jr. of the Wrigley chewing gum company.

 

And in the news!

 

Stay tuned...

[zeb_fisher 0]

A skyline view ...

 

 

It is really cool to see the city in motion... trains, cars, el trains, busses, ships, pedestrians, all moving in every direction. Downtown is very noisy with the el train stations. 

 

First... there was no update last week (Super Bowl). So next weekend might be slow as well.

 

Now I must say, SimCity 4 is really tough. It took me a good amount of time to figure out how to get the few stage 7's and 8's that I have there in the photo. These damned sims don't like to drive more than a couple blocks and dealing with stage caps... arrrggh. To my amazement though, I've been able to get this far without a single airport!

 

I think the sim engine has a hard time keeping things fresh as the city gets larger and more complicated. I can place a road, a bus or train station, or zone an area and it takes months before the engine seems to pick it up. Because of this I can't keep the actual game year in sync with history as I had hoped. So now, the game is about 40 years ahead. ONE other thing ... has anyone encountered this... the city is crunching along and all of the sudden out of the blue it's out of water? You look at the water graph and demand has sky rocketed to almost double what it was. You go to your budget and increase your neighbor deal for more water. demand continues to go up until all of the sudden it drops to nearly nothing. Now, if you exit without saving and then start again... it doesn't happen and everything is all right. I'm calling it the Water Bug in my own head.

 

[MTLT_17 26]

Now that somebody has made the Sears Tower for you. Are you going to use it when it comes to that time? Also I think I can help you with any of the other main office towers that are needed for Chicago. Also I can make the real baseball and football, hockey stadiums for you As they are needed. Ask for then whenever you need.

[forestpark 0]

Dude I see that you have put up a picture of the old Comiskey Park. I was wondering if you could show me what the surrounding area looks like. I'd love to see your version of the old Bridgeport neighboring Canaryville. Also, when did the Stevenson and Dan Ryan Expressways get built? I can't wait to see the region view of the city with the Stevenson, Kennedy, and Ike, all joining the Dan Ryan! Great Job too! I envy your patience and skill, keep up the good work!

[zeb_fisher 0]

I'm sorry about the massive delay on this journal!

 

This is one busy month for me...

 

I'm at the end of a software project, and anyone who works software knows what that means..

In addition, I'm moving to a new apartment in about 15 days....uggghh

Finally, I'm getting work done on my car and also dealing with the DMV ... arrrgghh

 

So don't worry, I haven't forgot this journal... will be back in business soon...

[simcityperron 2]

I understand how you feel.  I've been pretty busy myself.  Very nice job on this CJ.  I'll be coming back to check in from time to time.https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/images/smilies/2.gif>

[Vlad788 13]

I'm simply in awe!!! https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/images/smilies/6.gif> This has been one of the most beautiful cities I've ever laid my eyes on!! https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/images/smilies/6.gif> What really amazes me is the history throughout your city, the way it goes through history is amazing!!! https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/images/smilies/21.gif>

 

Exciting Job Zeb_Fisher!!! I can't wait to see more updates in the future!! https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/images/smilies/9.gif>

 

-Vlad

[dig1tal 0]

REALLY NICE JOURNAL ... really

[brodequin666 2]

So is this story done? Or are we going to continue it soon? Because, I want to see what Chicago gets in the 30's, 40's and 50's.

[MTLT_17 26]

I think we should bring this back. I love this journal, and it seems like zeb just gave up! Why, I don't know. Please Zeb come back!

 

-MTLT

[ABCD12345 1]

Hey zeb You CJ is great i think you should continue this because this Cj is really

Great i love it . Zeb  Please come back!

 

[dragnet79 1]

zebfisher, are you still working on this region? It would be unfortunate if you gave up at the most fun and intersting part.

[airmale007 3]

This is definitely one of the greatest CJ's I have ever seen. I just returned from a trip to Chicago and believe me, as soon as you see the city you will immediately want to try to simulate it.

[zeb_fisher 0]

OK... This CJ just might come back to life.

So what happened? In April, I was placed on a project in Denver. I live in California, which means I was flying every week back and forth. Well, that pretty much eats up a ton of my time, and what little time I have left over gets devoted to my GF. For now, it looks like I don't have to fly anymore (hopefully now that means I will get more time).

I think I'm going to have to skip a few years and speed this up though. I really want to finish this city. I was going to do the whole Al Capone thing by lowering funding to police and boosting crime in the city. It's tough trying to actually get a screen shot of a crime happening though. Not sure exactly what year I'll start back up at, maybe the 50's when the freeway and the airfield are built. They had color film in the fifties right?


P.S. I'm also newly engaged

[+Guest]

Yeah, they had color film in the 50's. Btw, it's great that your back!

[Casper3141 60]

yes it is great hes back this is an awesome CJ

[andrew george 0]

It's stunning - long may it live!!!!!!!

 

A

[MayorTim 16]

I love those pictures! Ther're so clear and crisp! What did you do to get them that nice? I usually lose alot of quality whenever I edit my pics. However, it seems that you have even gained alot of quality and beauty in your pictures. Whats your secret?

[eppisgood 6]

One of the better city re-creations on Simtrop.  Glad to see it back on it's feet.

[crazyarchitect 7]

wow, that's very cool what you did here, the photoshopping and the history of the city, I'm glad it came back to life, keep up the good work and good luck in marrage, I'm getting married next june, and on top of that I'm going to be a proud,young, father of TWINS!!!!

[zeb_fisher 0]

So, my first step is catching up on all of the new mods and buildings that are available. There's over 1,200 in the BAT Exchange...SimGoober pumps these things out faster than I can download them!

 

 

I've finally downloaded, tested, and filtered through everything so far and have decided on the following changes:

 

1.) Added 141 new lots. All added lots are growable versions only (except for obvious landmark lots like the Sears Tower). I chose to only use growable lots because that is one of the goals of this CJ, to grow a city the hard way. Also, I hate having my menus cluttered up with tons of plop buildings.

 

2.) Added the Beta Transportation Add On mod found here on Simtropolis. I was really happy to see One Way bridges, essential for Chicago's downtown transportation network. From the Beta Add On, I've used the following file for modifying transportation and path finding:

 

NetworkAddonMod_Traffic_Plugin_BetterPathfinding_2xCapacity_10xSpeeds_10xCommute

 

I'm hoping that this will fix some of the commute problems I'm having. For example, people only willing to travel 3 blocks to work and never boarding a train to go down town!

 

Now, I need to wrestle with the city and get it back up in good working order. Currently I'm adding in the freeways, planetarium, meigs airfield, etc... (I need to put in this airfield for commercial growth). This bumps the time line to 1961 or so.

 

I'm hoping to have some kind of update either later this afternoon or tomorrow. So get ready for the first color shots. I'm going to have to fool around with Photoshop to figure out how to make them look interesting.

 

Laterz

 

 

 

 

[Chester 0]

Yo very cool CJ, but ehm could u give a map with only ur roads and (elevated)rail system on it? If possible?

[Simbourgeois 139]

I was visiting today a session of the Council of Wise Men of Belleville and one old man (it's supposed that he's also wise...) was all the time complaining how bad all the things are in our city and how good it was in old days in... Chicago! I was surprised why he was saying like that, but now after visiting this CJ I understand... Your city is really great, good job!!!

[Terse Pig 4]

Wow, this CJ is great! I had never seen it before today; I'm glad that you may continue now that you have more time to do so. Keep up the good work.

[teekanne 0]

great city ! i especially like the way you present it..with all these historic things and stuff

[baldy 0]

This was/is by far my favorite city journal and I'm so glad to see your back zeb!

 

Keep up the good work and I'm really looking forward to updates!

[utora 0]

Wow! Creativity on ST knows no limits! Yet another great cj! I love the creativity you put into those pics, how do you make them look so...old?