Carthage

[Tarkus 6,934]

Good stuff here, Jill!  I rather like the mosaic action and see you've put SAM Set 2 to good use here.  And it sounds like the Carthage Star folks don't exactly have the best work ethic there, lol. 

Looking forward to seeing what you have in store next!

-Alex (Tarkus)

[Jillybean86 38]

Replies:

Philly:  My experience with downtowns has been  good, but it seems like there is more space when you're inside of them than it appears from the air.  There are usually wider sidewalks and such that aren't able to be conveyed in SC4.  Hopefully you like what you see better in this update

ironicepitome:  Yeah, there's probably should've been something about MNF in a Tuesday paper, but that's just how much Carthage loves its Colts

swat-medic:  Thanks, love the avatar

DCMetro34:  Thanks, I looked at how several different newspapers had their sites set up, and used their layouts, but it's all handmade until the ads at the bottom, when I got lazy and tired

Schulmanator:  Word has it, that's the password every hacker tries first.  Bad bad luck, I'd say

ComputerGuy890100: Thanks!

Shadow_Assassin:  Thanks, Essay!  I would love for you to read the articles, but I did the website on purpose so I only had to write headlines...haha.  Jillian Island was St. Jillian until it turned 18, then they had to get rid of the 'Saint' in front of it...

Deathtoall:  They will look so foolish when the lake-effect snow ruins their tanning season.  I think suburbs are going to be a big challenge for me.  Thanks for getting me to page 3!

Tarky:  Thanks, and I love the xmas avatar  I love the SAM.  If you had anything to do with it, I love you forever.  And yeah, the work ethic at Carthage Star is horrible, mostly because I'm the only employee

So here it is:  the first official downtown update.  I'm not teasing you with no lame suburbs here in Carthage, I'm giving you the goods right away.  So enjoy!

This update is all about Elliot Park and three of the four streets that surround it...the fourth isn't finished yet...

Just ignore the top left corner

Elliot park is named after Aaron Elliot, who was the mayor that commissioned the park in 1914.  Before Mayor Elliot commissioned the park, the area was the definition of a poo-hole.  Despite being right next to the financial center of town, the residents were poor, the buildings were shoddy, and there was no indoor plumbing.  The entire neighborhood was torn down, and the large triangular park, and a new City Hall building were constructed.

Carthage City Hall

Nately Hall is a reception hall built in 1945.  It is named after a bomber pilot from Carthage that died in WWII.  His family was very influential, and persuaded the city to allow the hall to be built.

The building looks great, but not as good looking as Nately himself

The park has been at the center of life for downtown Carthage since it was built.  There are playgrounds, basketball and tennis courts, restaurants, flower gardens, an art gallery, ice cream shop, and much more.

Winner of Billy Keegan's Best Fountain To Splash In Award for 2008

Very popular among high school prom committees that can't afford Jillian Island

This is the current home of the Carthage Board of Parks and Recreation.  The old building was demolished in 1989, and this much larger building was built as a result of the ever expanding duties of CBPR.

Although downtown Carthage was already a busy hub when Elliot Park was established, the benefits of the picturesque park were noticeable immediately.  Today, four of the busiest avenues in the city border the park.

Four roads?  I thought you said the park was triangular!  What the crap, Jill?

Jacobs Street forms the western border.  Many historic buildings overlook the park.

With a street like that, whoever Jacobs St. is named after must be pretty important...

HQ of the Carthage Star newspaper

Marianela Hotel

On the opposite side of the park, the tiny eastern boundary is 1st St.  Although not much of the actual street touches the park, many of the most important buildings in Carthage are on 1st.

Franklin's Arch marks the southern end of 1st St.

The tallest building in Carthage is on 1st St.  The Walsh Corporation is one of the largest companies based in Carthage, and built this as their headquarters in 1990.

Try to ignore the green space at the top.  If you're colorblind, please ignore the darkish grey area at the top.

Forming the southern border, which I haven't finished yet and am not showing, is Elliot Ave.  The condos that sit between Elliot Park and the waterfront are pretty amazing...if you could see them you'd agree they're fantastic.  Wow...mind blowing.

Anyway, here's a museum!

Carthage Museum of Art and Baker Theater

These condos are a little farther east than downtown, but are still on Elliot Ave.  That's how they weaseled their way into this update.

Pretty colors

And finally, the northern boundary of the park is Erie Ave.  The buildings on Erie Ave. are home to several banks and exchanges.  This section of the road in downtown is sometimes called "Money Street".  This will be featured more in later updates, so here is a large mosaic of it and most of downtown.

 

For full size of this mosaic, click here - I have no idea what happened to my full size, but click the link for a miniature version?

I hope you enjoyed this first visit to Elliot Park and downtown!  I leave you with a night shot of the area.  See you next time

Ceiling Cat sees all

[Norby(ToG) 6]

Wow, this gonna be a huge city with those skyscrapers. Beautiful work my friend. Keep it up!

[SounderBruce 173]

Great update! I love the City Hall area and Elliot Park! Where did you get the Carthage Museum?

[De Ja Vu 117]

Nice looking downtown! The mosaic looks very cool and the night pics also! Nice choice of building for the DT area.

Btw isn't ceiling cat supposed to be white? =)

[jacqulina 162]

fantastic work my friend

[PhilsCafe 8]

You're probably right... maybe it's really just the game restrictions that leave me all claustrophobic. Lol. Seriously though, Jilly... I didn't dislike what you've done so far besides, this update is stunning! I mean that park is just soo beautiful. That's what I meant with space to breathe!! You wouldn't think that you're in the middle of a thriving Downtown if you just saw THAT.

But... enough compliments to you now... that Jacobs person must be awesome! hehe

- Phil

[Muck308 55]

Very nice CBD. I like Jacobs Street myself.

[Deathtoall 28]

Nice update jill, that downtown park is beautiful and Elliot St would be a great place to live. Just need to fill in those green spaces now. Keep up the good work.

[sEAhAwk fAn121 0]

I love this Jill! Carthage looks so cool! Loving the downtown keep it up girl!

[BlondeTwiggy 43]

skyscrapers..nice selection of BATs   I also like how you incorporated the park trails with the buildings.  the city hall & reception hall are both beautiful. *needs to go on STEX spree*  What's Nately look like then?  curious minds want to know  oh wait, he's dead...Nevermind.  Ehm, not loving the Paint-esque black scribbles   I like that little pedestrian bridge that goes over the avenue.  I think I have something like that somewhere....Ugh... my plug ins is a mess.  Anyway.  Everything looks good.  Keep it up 

[TmiguelT 10]

Downtown Looks Awesome ! Love the park in the middle of it

[DCMetro34 577]

Your downtown looks great! I love the roads and the choice of custom content.

[technicallydead 1]

WOW!!!! like it....God bless!

[JakeMD 107]

Once again the pics are amazing! Wonder whats behind the black stuff.

[GreekMan 246]

Woah! great downtown! keep it up, you are doing a fantastic job!

[Larks2242 251]

Great update, gotta love the cat in the sky

[winchester1 5]

GOD is a CAT! i knew it. Chester is NOT going to like this.

[Jillybean86 38]

Replies:

Norby(ToG): You'd better believe it!  I picture it as being one of those islands of skyscrapers in a sea of suburbs

Computerguy891920389:  I don't remember where I got the museum, but I did remember seeing it on SC4D for sure.  I'll look at the actual name of it next time I go into the game

De Ja Vu:  All the buildings were specially selected to look bootyful.  And I think you might be thinking of longcat?

jacqulina:  Thanks, Jacky

PhilsCafe:  I enjoy making parks...maybe that's my calling in life.  And no dumb game constraints to bug me, only political constraints.  eww.  And yeah, that Jacobs person, she's arite

Muck308:  Thanks, I love that street!  haha

Deathtoall:  I know...I usually don't show things that aren't finished, but since practically the whole city is a work in progress, I'd have nothing to show...glad you like it, DTA

sEaHaWkFan121:  Thanks, Clinton

BrunetteTwiggy:  Thank you!  I'm not sure exactly what Nately looks like because he's a character in a book, but in my head he's a dreeeeam!  I know the black scribbles are ugly, but the blank zones behind them are worse...that's how Krio used to hide his uglies

TmiguelT:  Thanks!  it's supposed to be like Central Park in NYC, but way way smaller

DCMetro34:  Thanks, DC.

jonpaulosiglos:  Thank you

swat-muse:  Thanks, swatty.  It's ugliness behind the black.  Blank zones, open grass, people that don't like Muse...Ceiling Cat protects us from these evils.

GreekMon:  Thanks, looking forward to your CJ as well

Larks2242:  Ceiling Cat sees aaaallllll!  OOHHH YEEAAAHHH

winchester1:  Of course god is a cat.  Why do you think we spend our lives serving their every need? haha

Every year, thousands gather along Elliot Ave. to see fireworks light up the Stinson Bridge to celebrate New Year's.

From Jill, and everyone in Carthage:

See you in 2010!!

[Larks2242 251]

Happy new year Carthage! OOHHH YEEAAAHHH

[JakeMD 107]

Ceiling cat has brought us good fortune. Happy new year Carthage!

[GreekMan 246]

thanks see you in 2010

[PhilsCafe 8]

Yes, you're very good with parks. Maybe you should think about a change of careers... I doubt the hours will be better though.

Happy New Year, Jill!

[BlondeTwiggy 43]

lol not sure if taking cues from krio is good   I kid, I kid!  Loved the CJ tho.  Fabulous fireworks and hope you have a great start to 2010!!! 

[art128 4,622]

Nice pic ! Happy new year too ! (though, a bit late..)

[Philadelphia 25]

The pics where the visible zones where blacked out and substituted with a cat cracked me up! Excellent work. That city looks amazing.

[gio10469 24]

Great CJ!!! Your work looks great so far. Hey by the way, where can I find the BAT you used for the Carthage City Hall?

[Simbourgeois 139]

Very nice fireworks  Your simcitizens must love you for such a nice show... I imagine thousands and thousands gathered at the riverfront area to see it!

Happy New Year 2010!!!

Regards,

Simbourgeois

Mayor of Belleville

[Jillybean86 38]

My god, I never noticed how lazy I was until I started a CJ!  Yoikes!

In lieu of an update (since I seem to have hit something of a creative wall) here is a fantastic screen from the newspaper CarthageStar.com!  Wooo!

I promise I'll have a real update soon...and I also promise I'm not crossing my fingers as I type that.  Although if I was, besides being very difficult to type, it would negate both of those promises...so...yeah...

[PhilsCafe 8]

Good news page! Glad to see your creativity with headlines hasn't hit a wall yet . 'Twas a fun read... I even spotted some ST gossip, OMG! Rumor has it that she's even considering to change her name now! Oh, and looks like the owners of Phil's Cafe are up to something. Do they want to attract more female customers? Hmm... questions, questions...

I'm definitely looking forward to your update... no rush though...