Cape May, NJ ... A look ahead

[Jetty Jockey 186]

Date:6/26/2004 3:32:29 PM
Author:tHe Dark_Child

Cape May is looking very good on accuracy and land. BTW, I'm going to apply for  the following dials

 

92.1- WQIQ, A station that I will give to someone and no, it does not have a format unless I give the dial to someone and then they can change the station.

94.5- WRTS, All about the arts (funded by the state of NJ and NJN)

96.5- WKNX (or KNX  just like KYW), A top 40 station that sounds like an XM Top 40 station (with only 2 commercials in an hour)

100.3- WBBR, A party station with Hip Hop, Dance, and Top 40 mixed in

101.7- WTEN, A station that plays whatever they want to (Note, I will give this one away)

102.7- WKDA, A Rock station that sounds like 94 WYSP in Philly

105.9- WEPR, A station that sounds like Hot 97 in NYC but every song there is the album version (or radio version if the station like that version better) and unedited.

106.7- WDOX, A modern rock station (NOTE: this station does exsist in real life)

 

Those are the stations that I'm applying for at Cape May.

quote>

I better get busy ! There's a couple of cities fairly close enough to needing a radio station, but no openings yet. ( I still refuse to use cheat codes) . I listened to WDOX when it was at 93.1 ( even still have the hat) . I see the DOX Hummer parked off Route 9 in Rio Grande during my commute from time to time. Not sure if that's where they broadcast from.

[Jetty Jockey 186]

Date:6/26/2004 8:28:12 PM
Author:GAT-X105


That's pretty much what the Atlantus looks like nowadays anyway, just a couple rocks sticking out of the water. I wish I were old enough to see it when it still looked like...a ship.

The Coit Tower actually looks pretty good as a replacement lighthouse. If I knew how to use BAT I'd make Barnegat Lighthouse, which is almost exactly the same as the one in Cape May Point.

quote>

When I was younger ( and stupider) , we used to row rubber boats out to it to fish in the gap where the hull split in two. You could look right inside the holds at low tide.( crawling with huge water rats, so we didn't go in )Not a heck of a lot there now. Every storm takes another piece or two.

 

[Jetty Jockey 186]

22 May, 31

 

Cyclone Hits Wildwood

 

WILDWOOD (SP)  Morey's Pier is proud to unveil its latest attraction, The Cyclone. This classic wooden roller coaster is an exact replica of the original at Coney Island, New York. Designed by Nomad Entertainment, Inc., The Cyclone is expected to thrill area Sims and visitors alike. In gratitude,  the mayor has decreed that Poplar Avenue east of Ocean Avenue is to be renamed Nomad Avenue.

 

[+Guest]

The Cyclone at Wildwood, first of all I like that BAT Building and it just fits perfectly with the environment of the Cape May area. I bet your sims will love this attraction.

[Jetty Jockey 186]

Date:6/27/2004 1:42:38 PM
Author:tHe Dark_Child

The Cyclone at Wildwood, first of all I like that BAT Building and it just fits perfectly with the environment of the Cape May area. I bet your sims will love this attraction.

quote>

It's a lot smaller than Great White ( Wildwood's giant wooden coaster), but at this point  roller coaster's a roller coaster. Not to mention that Nomad1's  Cyclone is one incredible piece of eye candy! I'd love to see more amusement park rides on the BAT exchange, especially Nor'easter , the suspended twisting loopy steel coaster located on Wildwood's other pier. I'll keep looking. Seems every day I find something real cool on the exchange.

Wildwood turns 30

Detail of regional view, showing Five Mile Beach Island with all cities brought up to year 30.

Washington Street Mall gets facelift

CAPE MAY (SP) As part of the mayor's plan to beautify Cape May City, the mayor has contracted the Bauer Outdoor Design Company to replace the existing walkon the Washington Street Mall with a more beautiful pedestrian walkway.  The new walkway is red brick , with trees and gaslamp lighting. An access walkway has been added at Jackson Street.

Rite Aid comes to region

CAPE MAY (SP)  Pharmacy giant Rite Aid has opened two new stores in the region, one in Cape May on Perry Street , and another in Wildwood at the corner of Oak and New Jersey. A big thanks to SimGoober for this excellent piece of work.

[andrew george 0]

You're certainly up to date on the LEX, Rite Aid has only just arrived! Great terrain I like the creeks around the lakes very nice.

A

[Jetty Jockey 186]

Date:6/29/2004 10:03:28 AM
Author:andrew george

You're certainly up to date on the LEX, Rite Aid has only just arrived! Great terrain I like the creeks around the lakes very nice.

A

quote>

Thanx! Yeah, I'm finally getting over my BATaphobia. I usually don't go for plopped R, C, or I BATs . SimGoober's stuff is fairly realistic and doesn't unbalance the game by giving ya stupid amounts of jobs or cash or anything like that., so it's a keeper. When I saw Rite Aid  I checked the yellow pages and came up with two locations. I think I'm gonna have to go through the exchange again, checking BATs on the exchange against listings in the local phone book. 

[Jetty Jockey 186]

Introducing ........ Stone Harbor

 

Northeast of the Wildwoods is Seven Mile Beach Island, which is home to the cities of Stone Harbor and Avalon.

Stone Harbor (south )

This is one of the region's more affluent areas. The Oceandrive Expressway enters the city from across the Intercoastal Waterway, connecting to the Wildwoods and the mainland via North Wildwood Boulevard ( off screen, SW)The budget is balanced at the expense of police coverage, although at the moment it doesn't seem to be a problem. Single family homes are rapidly being replaced by small condos, as property values are on the rise.

a closer look

                     

Rising unemployment forced the mayor to reluctantly add a small industrial park south of 116th Street. Environmental impact so far is minimal .

Stone Harbor (midtown - 94th Street to 100th Street)

Continuing north along the Oceandrive Expressway, one comes to Stone Harbor's commercial center, centered on 96th Street and  First Avenue . Land values are on the rise as there are no pollution producers besides traffic, and that is well within acceptable levels. Stone Harbor draws power from the Five Mile Beach Power & Light Company's fusion power plant in Wildwood, and sends its garbage to the Middle Township disposal facility (northwest of Burleigh) via Hereford Inlet, Burleigh and Mayville. Water is produced in city and a surplus is sold to the southern part of Stone Harbor.

The city is connected to the mainland via the 96th Street Bridge

The 96th Street Bridge leads to Cape May Court House via the Stone Harbor Causeway .Extensive marina facilities exist for vacationing sims who wish to forego traffic and sail to the region, as well as those vessels just passing through along the Intercoastal Waterway.

 

[smartpig 0]

Excellent city, great CJ. Just one question:

Why are cars parked on the grass at the Rite Aid?

[Jetty Jockey 186]

Date:7/4/2004 1:12:50 PM
Author:smartpig

Excellent city, great CJ. Just one question:

Why are cars parked on the grass at the Rite Aid?

quote>

 I've been meaning to ask SimGoober the same thing, but I don't want to seem ungrateful for the outstanding BAT work he's produced. Perhaps the growable version comes with parking. I'll have to experiment a bit with it. Until then, us South 'Jersey hicks have no problem parking on grass.

[andrew george 0]

Date:7/4/2004 2:14:07 PM
Author:Jetty Jockey

Date:7/4/2004 1:12:50 PM
Author:smartpig

Excellent city, great CJ. Just one question:

Why are cars parked on the grass at the Rite Aid?

quote>

 I've been meaning to ask SimGoober the same thing, but I don't want to seem ungrateful for the outstanding BAT work he's produced. Perhaps the growable version comes with parking. I'll have to experiment a bit with it. Until then, us South 'Jersey hicks have no problem parking on grass.

quote>

 

I have found this problem with a number of buildings recently.....

[Dolfan348488 0]

This is a very enjoyable journal.  I wonder why i never saw it before......

[smartpig 0]

Around where I live it's not unheard of for zoning agreements to specify that some parking lots are pervious for environmental/stormwater management reasons, but it's always overflow parking, not right in front of a store or mall.

[SimGoober 2,365]

If you look in the readme files for my lots, you will find a bunch of links to some dependency files on the STEX.  The parking lot textures are in the BSC Textures - PEG (or something similar).  There seems to have been a fair amount of confusion on this one, as the zip file actually contains another zip file.  Both must be unzipped for everything to look right.  Once you have that file in your directory, your parking lots will show up.

[Jetty Jockey 186]

Date:7/4/2004 3:52:39 PM
Author:SimGoober

If you look in the readme files for my lots, you will find a bunch of links to some dependency files on the STEX.  The parking lot textures are in the BSC Textures - PEG (or something similar).  There seems to have been a fair amount of confusion on this one, as the zip file actually contains another zip file.  Both must be unzipped for everything to look right.  Once you have that file in your directory, your parking lots will show up.

quote>

 Ahhh! That'll teach me not to read the readme. Much better now.

Wildwood Rite-Aid at Oak & New Jersey Avenues

Thanks a bunch for the help, and the BATs. Now that's what I call support!

[Jetty Jockey 186]

Cape May turns 50

 

Since we last saw Cape May , 35 years have passed. The city has quadrupled its population , now at 22616, making it among the top five largest in the region.

Residential / Commercial section of Cape May City

There's been pretty good growth along the oceanfront and harbor shores, with R$$ and R$$$ condos replacing single family homes.  With the increased growth comes the expected problems.  Crime is up, dropping safety ratings a bit lower than I'd like. Traffic is becoming a problem here and in many cities, especially on neighbor connections. The mayor may have to abandon the current (semi-historical) street layout for one more tailored to Sim driving habits.   The city is finally turning a tax profit, pulling out of its fiscal free-fall seemingly in the nick of time.  Limited growth is planned for the next 10 years so the city can stockpile some simoleons and come up with some traffic options.

 

Cape May , downtown

This part of the city has seen a more modest growth ( population up 50% since year 15). As a result, a lot less problems and a fatter treasury. Attempts by developers to bulldoze many of Cape May's  Victorian era mansions in favor of higher density condos has run into stiff opposition by the mayor. Several were designated as historical, being seaside retreats of many of America's early presidents, including Lincoln and Grant.

A few of Cape May's Victorian era mansions.

 

The Cove section of Cape May has seen an increase in commercial development , particularly along Sunset Boulevard ( E-W avenue) ,Broadway (N-S avenue) and Beach Drive. All this commercial growth hasn't translated into much of a population growth, as this part of the city has only added 700 residents over the past 35 years.

Cape May Point, year 50

With most of its developable land occupied , the only direction for growth left to this city is up. The mayor's plan to use the Cape May Point airfield north of Sunset Boulevard to stimulate commerce and balance the budget has so far been a success. Despite having to increase airport funding twice to improve efficiency, the growth in revenues from taxes on commerce has more than made up for increased airport expense. The city is now turning a modest ($600/mo) profit after years of defecit spending. A new stadium hosting the Cape May Point Tides is planned within the next five to ten years, once a decent enough surplus can be built up in the treasury.

Traffic is increasingly becoming a major concern here on the Point, as more and more buildings are facing dilapidation and abandonment due to commute time issues. The mayor is in uncharted territory here, and is planning on visiting some other no-cheat no-mod cities  to see how they overcame thier growing pains. If anyone can direct me to a journal or two like that, I'd appreciate it!

Cape May's commercial boom extends to Cape May Point.

As the population has increased, so has the need for goods and services.  In addition to the downtown commercial area, the area at the intersection of Cape Avenue and Sunset Boulevard has become a convenient place for ' Point sims to shop. Pictured is the Sunset Beach Mall , another magnificent real life BAT by Simgoober. I think the exchange name is Simgoober Mall.

[+Guest]

Congrats on the milestone for Cape May.

[Casper3141 60]

wow this is a great region i cant believe i missed it i cant wait for more updates

[dudyconstructor 46]

thats a great region....'); height=20 alt=Insert smilie src=https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/images/smilies/44.gif width=33 border=0> i really liked the way things were built

Keep the good work.'); height=20 alt=Insert smilie src=https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/images/smilies/44.gif width=33 border=0>

[Jetty Jockey 186]

A few more year 50 pics from around the region

West Cape May

The industrial heart of Cape Island. This city was overlooked earlier, probably because it wasn't as scenic as the other cities. The Cape Island Municipal Utilities Authority (top, left) handles the waste disposal needs of all cities south of the Cape May Canal.  The industry is centered on the Cape May Seashore Line's Cape May-Cape May Point track, north of the Cape Island Expressway

A majority of Sims working here prefer to take the train from Cape May , and this station handles nearly 1700 commuters daily. With the rise in education in neighboring cities and a repressive tax rate on dirty industry, cleaner industry has gradually been moving into the eastern half of the city. This, along with the destruction of the city's two coal power plants in year 34 has improved environmental conditions enough to allow for some farming in the northeast corner. The city now draws power from the South Cape fusion plant in Villas.

You won't see too many postcards from this part of the region. Traffic noise and pollution is distressing a few buildings along Broadway. Among the mayor's top priorities for the coming years is to improve living conditions for West Cape May sims.

 

Most of the land south of the Cape May Canal along the bayfront is a National Wildlife Sanctuary. With easy access to the seaport at the former Cape May - Lewes Ferry site ( top, left) and rail connections to the rest of the region the land north of the canal south of Ferry Road ( E-W avenue, top) has become another of the region's main industrial centers.

The workforce is mostly comprised of out-of-town sims who take the Bayshore Line's commuter trains from North Cape May and other Lower Township communities.

A small residential community has sprung up south of the Cape May Canal, just west of the Bayshore Road Bridge. A belt of farmland seperates it from the Higbee's Beach National Wildlife Refuge.

[+Guest]

The community in Cape May Canal is just nice. It's looking good.

[edd_erickson 0]

Your Cape May is the closest to reality of any region I've seen!

[Jetty Jockey 186]

Thanks again everyone for your encouragement ! It's what keeps me in the house  for an extra few hours on a sunny summer day . Not only is Cape May County my first CJ, it's also my first attempt at region building. This journal is as much a record of the learning process as a showcase for my cities. The region is still cheat and mod-cheat free, and I'm hoping it can stay that way.  I'll continue to show the good, the bad and the ugly as the region progresses, and will pass along any lessons learned. .Any helpful tips are enthusiastically encouraged! 

[Jetty Jockey 186]

Update : Cape May Canal  (Lower Township)

I'm not exactly sure what went right here, but I like it. This part of Lower Township is pulling in simoleons hand over fist, nearly 40K /year. Ratings are good to excellent across the board. There are not too many complaints from the city's residents over any issues.

Due to a first rate educational system and generous tax incentives, nearly all of the city's non-farming industry is non polluting. Commuters take the Cape May Seashore Lines home after a day at work.

Despite the increase in medium density housing on the north side of the canal, the populations has remained unchanged at 12K or so.  The difference is that today's Sims are infinitely better off than those 35 years ago.

The mayor has been reinvesting some of the budget surplus into landmark buildings. Cape Tower ( actually Smith Tower) has been built at the northern end of the Seashore Road bridge.  A spectacular view of the surrounding farmland can be had from its upper stories.

We interrupt this journal to bring you a shameless plug ...

Vote for Cape May in the Most Camera Friendly Cities Contest  (Best Beaches)!

[Jetty Jockey 186]

Town Bank Road Upgrade :  A Path of Destruction

Through Three Cities.

 

LOWER TOWNSHIP (SP)  Increased traffic problems on Town Bank Road has led the mayor here to begin an upgrade of this overworked road to an avenue.

Town Bank Road has been upgraded from its eastern end at Seashore Road in the Cape May Canal section of the township to the intersection of Town Bank and Clubhouse Roads in North Cape May.

A total of 114 single family residences, two apartment buildings and 34 commercial structures had to be destroyed to make room for the new avenue.

Not only were taxpayers displaced. Two fire stations, three police structures, a school, nine bus stops, and the mayor's North Cape May residence had to be leveled to make room for the new road. Fortunately, all three cities are posting a sizable treasury surplus, and are expected to handle the disruption.

[Jetty Jockey 186]

11 February , 50

 

Mayor Takes Traffic Head On

 

NORTH CAPE MAY (SP) With scenes like the one pictured above becoming an all too common sight in the region, the mayor announced his plans to put the rush back in rush hour.

Traffic has become this region's biggest problem. Why, I even had to hire a full time team of body and fender men for the mayoral limo. He proudly pointed to the success of the most recent county road project, the Town Bank Road widening plan.

Bayshore East at 50.

Bayshore East is a small bedroom community of around 4500 sims, most of which work in neighbor cities. It draws power from the Cape Fusion Plant in Villas and disposes of its waste at the Lower Township MUA.

In addition to the Town Bank Road avenue project, Sheriff  Taylor Road was extended as an avenue north to Fire Road. Commercial buildings replace the single family homes formerly on Town Bank Road.

 

Cape May County educators have had a lot of success by making the curriculum more enjoyable for thier students. Pictured here is the lab for the very popular course - Intro to Aerodynamics - Applied Skateboard Physics.

North Cape May had zoned for medium density early, but lacking a clear plan, the mayor let the years pass by. The result was lots  of ugly brick walk ups and a few nicer condos which quickly deteriorated and were abandoned. The good news is that in the years of inactivity, the city accrued a million and a half simoleons in the treasury. A few failed poilcies were undertaken , including the controversial Lose your job, lose your home one, where residents who couldn't find work and allowed thier properties to deteriorate were evicted and that property bulldozed.  It soon became clear that the historical transportation network was not meeting the needs of the city .At a year 30 planning session, North Cape May was selected to be a testing ground for the mayor's urban vision.  

 

Residential/Commercial section of North Cape May ( year 50)

Washington Boulevard winds its way through the center of town, going west from Bayshore Road and connecting Pilgrim Circle (bottom, with fountain) to Mayflower Circle ( center, left).  At the moment, most of the urban renewal has been done near the beach between Franklin Avenue and Town Bank Road, one of the more notorious abandonment sites. The center and east sides will get attention in coming years.

 City Hall and Mayflower Circle

Building monorail and subway connections to the industrial areas in city and to the industrial area at the neighboring seaport has helped to reduce distress and abandonment significantly. So has destroying all non avenue neighbor connections, forcing sims to drive a little smarter. 

Traffic (year 50)

A lot less problem areas than there used to be, but still a lot of work ahead. N-S streets had to be bulldozed in mid block because sims were using them instead of the higher capacity roads and avenues. It's a stopgap measure until I can begin development on the eastern half of the city.

 

At the center of Pilgrim Circle is the Fountain of Neptune.

A big thanks to JEC for the beautiful Fuente de Neptuno, and to sargeantcm for the Niagra Square McKinley Monument ( pictured above, center of Mayflower Circle), another stunning work from the Buffalo, NY series. Keep up the great work ! It's what makes my cities come alive. 

The mayor has spent more than  a million simoleons over the past two decades . Located at the corner of Washington Boulevard and Bayshore Road is Morey Park, home of the North Cape May Corsairs.

North Cape May is among the region's research leaders

Located on Town Bank Road near the entrance of  the industrial park is North Cape May's lab zone . Pictured are the Disease Research Laboratory (left) and Advanced Research Labs.  The city's monorail speeds commuters back toward the beachfront.

SimGoober University of Practical BAT Design

Known by its alumni as Goober U, graduates of this esteemed instiution of learning are specialists in design of corporate chain establishments. It is hoped that a more fitting replacement for the university can be found in the near future. ( hint, hint). The university is currently seeking boosters for its athletic programs, and plans on building a stadium nearby in the coming years.

 

 

 

[joexcooldude 1]

I was just in Wildwood last night. Very nice CJ you have going here.

[Jetty Jockey 186]

Another update:

Town Bank (Lower Township) , year 50

 

Some larger commercial structures and a few condos on Bayshore Road (N-S Avenue) have been added, but not too much has changed for this little town. A new hi tech industrial park was added south of Breakwater Road. Ratings are good to excellent across the board.

 

Cold Spring (Lower Township), year 50

Industrial development along the northern shore of Cape May Harbor is supporting a fair amount of residential growth west of the Garden State Parkway bridge and on Schellenger's Island (SE corner).

Sims love cruising to work

LOWER TOWNSHIP (SP) The mayor here announced the introduction of a passenger ferry system linking Cape May with industrial areas on the northern shore of the harbor. We plan to utilize many of the region's numerous waterways as mass transit options. A car and passenger ferry was first attempted, but for some unexplained reason, several hundred busses from Cape May would drive to the north shore ferry terminal and take the ferry back into Cape May ! Bus traffic quickly overloaded Ocean Drive and the northbound lane of Route 109 (N-S Avenue at end of the Garden State Parkway. Changing to a passenger-only ferry corrected this problem. The only busses that go to the north shore ferry landings are those from the industrial areas. The passenger terminal pictured above is handling nearly 1200 passengers /day.

Ferry service is supplemented by the Intercoastal Water Taxi Company. Designed by Goldiva  Marine, these speedy shallow draft vessels are perfect for  the shallow waters of the back bays.

Schellenger's Landing section of town has three busy water taxi stations

The drop in land traffic to industrial areas on-shore has lessened air pollution and increased land values at the southern end of the Garden State Parkway.

Harbor lights at night..

[SkyTearer 10]

Wow i love how it's not just all unrealistic skyscraper fields like many CJS, mostly lowrise like reality, very good job.

[subedei 3]

Great looking region so far. Keep the updates coming.

 

 

Subedei