Eureka! --- Planning For The Future

[ElBarto92 7]

Great updates - one question: where'd you get that el rail central station?

[kassarc16 4]

This has got to be the best presentation of a CJ I have ever seen and probably will ever see! Your region and city(s) are incredible, realistic, and detailed! Great job!

 

Though, I think maybe a Ground Light Rail system would have fit the region a little better than the El, it's not urban enough yet, but it's nice nonetheless. Can't wait to see more!

[i-cube 1]

absolutly the best cj for me! just love it

[sharkbait16 0]

How cool, I love te descriptiveness. You even noted how many species will be displaced by zoning, very clever. I can't wait to see more.

[louisville327 0]

Today's Hot Topic

[winonanick 0]

that election is heating up.

Looks like the opposition is going the populist approach.

It will be interesting to see how that impacts Eureka! if he defeats Hiro, does that spell the end of New Urbanism in Eureka!?

[oroen 0]

I really enjoyed the recent updates on the construction and expansion taking place in downtown, especially the widening of Main Street and the demolition of the old industrial complex to make way for a nice transit hub.

[Deathtoall 28]

Nice! I love the idea of a possible new mayor, that Peter guy sounds a little bit like a dictator himself. Voting Hiro all the way! Go Hiro's party( what is the parties name? Liberal, Labor? Republican?) Nice subrub Boeen is looks nice before and after. Nice newspapers!

[Sproxxx 0]

Curse that Wendgram! Go Hiro!

Nice update. Intriging

[louisville327 0]

The Campaign Trail


There are only six weeks left before the Year 212 mayoral election in Eureka. Incumbent mayor Richard Hiro faces stiff opposition from local businessman Peter Wendgram, who's negative campaigning has so far successfully hurt Hiro's approval ratings. Hiro is counting on the strength of his past accomplishments as well as his current platform to win the day and secure a second six-year term. Wendgram is counting on the recent influx of foreign immigrants (and the subsequent conservative backlash) to fuel his bid for the mayor's seat.





The foundation of both candidates' platforms is the future expansion and development of the city. Two years after the major foreign stock market crash, immigrants are still streaming into Eureka, bringing with them a variety of social, employment and housing needs---and lots of money to spend. Eureka, when the immigration wave began, was still a small city. With the population exploding (up 80,000 people in 22 months), deciding the future pattern of development is the most important role the mayor can play, and both candidates recognize this.

Current region view (click for larger image):

To this point, Mayor Hiro has focused new construction efforts within the existing city limits. Though far more expensive in the short run (due to demolition costs and resident compensation), increasing the density of the inner city districts utilizes existing infrastructure and minimizes the cost of living for residents. Since residents live close to their workplaces, commuting needs are multiplied by volume only, rather than volume AND distance.

The downside to this is the vast number of native Eurekans displaced by new construction. Though most are receiving above market value for the homes they must abandon, the process causes a fair amount of social upheaval. People forcibly displaced---even with compensation---are bound to be resentful. Though violence against immigrants is rare, many native Eurekans are organizing against the changes within their city as an outlet for their frustrations.

That's where Peter Wendgram comes in. A long-time local businessman (he founded Wendgram Container Corporation, based in Eastport) and influential socialite (he is current president of the Eureka Rotary Club), Wendgram has spoken against Mayor Hiro's immigration and development policies since day one---and his influence is significant. Wealthy native Eurekans respect and support Wendgram. They heavily fund his campaign, as well*. He has produced slick and clever TV commercials, has been interviewed by major national magazines and is well-liked by the local media.


Both candidates have made public their development plans for the city, should they be chosen by voters. Mayor Hiro's is very specific in that new construction will continue within city limits where appropriate and outward into new districts where unavoidable. Peter Wendgram's plan calls for an end to displacement of native residents and outward expansion into new immigrant-only suburbs.

Below are diagrams of both plans (click for larger images):

Mayor Hiro's Plan:


Peter Wendgram's Plan:

Wendgram criticizes Mayor Hiro's plan for being unfair to native Eurekans and despotic in its use of eminent domain. The mayor call's Wendgram's plan short-sighted and environmentally-destructive. So far, voters are split almost evenly on the subject.

Since most immigrants to the city have yet to achieve citizenship, they will not be allowed to vote in the upcoming election. Peter Wendgram is counting on this fact to fuel his chances of victory. He knows as well as Mayor Hiro that the immigrants align themselves with the incumbent for all that he has done for them. Hopefully for Wendgram, native resentment of immigrants will be enough to secure a victory for him. The mayor is trusting his hard work and impressive record to keep him in office.

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

* A note regarding the political environment of Eureka: Political parties are not allowed at the local level, where their influence can play too dominant a role in the basic running of the city. While regional and national representatives are members of several large parties, local leaders like city and district council members, the mayor and the council president must campaign as independents.

[ElBarto92 7]

I really love the political tie-in - awesome idea. If I was still doing The Critic, I'd totally be raving.

[UnkleS27 24]

 I like Hiro's plan the best, but then again its not my house thats being taken.

This is a cool idea, having the election

[SYM Productions 7]

Wow I can't believe this is the first time I'm discovering this...

Fantastically original ideas for a CJ, my friend, and I'm gonna now be tuning in regularly...

 

- CDI_spy

[kylaar 0]

Sounds excellent. I've started to get back into SC and this is a great CJ.
I was wondering what set the building in this is from:
http://www.louisville327.com/Cityjournal/EurekaJournal/Districts/EurekaCBD/RawJPEGS/EurekaCondos2.jpg

 

It's probably my new favourite custom building, it looks excellent.
Hope to see more about the election

 

[jacqulina 162]

excellent updates really looking great love the pics too

[Sproxxx 0]

This is your best update yet! It's so suspenseful!

I knew that Wendgram was up to no good. Dirty tricks. God I hate politics.

As for different plans. I obviously like Hiros better, but I was wondering. Wouldn't Wendgrams plan create pockets of immigrants while Hiros would seem to try to intergrate them with the native residents?

[Shadow Assassin 336]

Hm, I prefer Hiro's plan, because Wendgram's plan is just sweeping the immigrants under the carpet, in out of the way areas, where they supposedly would do no harm.

[uncrazycooper13 0]

This cj gets better all the time! I hope Hiro wins, I'd hate for Eureka to lose it's charm justs because of some old rich people. However it would be kind of cool if you let the sprawl develop and then you could go back in with a new mayor and show how to fix sprawl. Anyway I can't wait to see more!

-uncrazycooper13

[winonanick 0]

hmm, the suspense is buiding!!

I prefer Hiro's plan, but I worry about where are the displace Eurkean's susposed to live immediately after evection? If there is the serious housing crunch, and an incredible flow of immigrant arriving to Eureka! I would imagine that available housing is in very short supply, and/or rental values are inflating rapidly. So, I imagine there is significant displacemnt resentment.

I have a hard time seeing Hiro surviving this campaign.

I wonder what phase of development the new development will occur? Pre, concurrent or post redevelopment.

[EnigmaticUK 1]

I have to say that on the whole, I'd prefer Wendgram's approach of indiscriminately destroying vacant country to Hiro's indiscriminate destruction of established city districts in his thus far rather inept urbanisation programme.

But then maybe I just like being controversial.

[inquisitor 0]

Louisville327...Photoshop...wink wink, nudge nudge...say no more. 

 

This is one heck of a CJ, and I plan to follow this one closely. Keep it up.

[louisville327 0]

Today's Hot Topic

[kylaar 0]

I too prefer Wendgram. Can't wait for the results to come in.
I'd love to see the different style of a new mayor.

[ElBarto92 7]

Heh heh, great edition of the Eurekanist. Hope election day's coming up soon.

[jacqulina 162]

nice paper

[jackel.22 3]

oh my,.................... this is mind blowing!

its reallygreat and now i cant wait to play sc either,

 

just one question, do you have a link/the name of thoes concrete embankments you used to make the rail lines drop a level?

 

political tie in is great too. grats on thes best thing i have seen posted on this site

[winonanick 0]

I think Wendgram is a political opportunist. He is only looking to line the pockets of his wealthy buddies in the Rotary or whatever service club he is in. He only see the immigrants as cheap labor for his facoties, and wants them to stay that way.

Hiro is the responsible choice, Eureka!'s population is growing, and he has a plan to deal with it, and improve the city in the long run.

VOTE HIRO!

[USMC 0]

NNNOOOO!!!

I thought this CJ was complete and I could read the whole thing start to finish. Now I have to wait with anticipation for each update! I don't think I can take it! Please Hurry!!!!!

 

PS. I loved Simtropia and this one is even better!

[Equilibria 16]

These updates all look great, and the care with which you seem to plan your cities and transit is commendable. I'm wondering why you chose El-Rail over monorail. It seems to me (although I've never used it myself) that monorail would be the more realistic choice for a modern city to use nowadays (especially if it will never go underground). Nevertheless, it is all well done and handsome.

As for the more recent updates and blogs, Both candidates seem to be advocating about equal expansion, just in different ways. I'm surprised that Hiro hasn't yet criticized Wendgram's development plan on its generous doling out of currently undeveloped areas for suburban sprawl. I'd think he'd do well with a conservationist, use the already developed land as well as we can sort of tack here (especially in regard for Wendgram's plans for the SW sector). These candidates seem really believable, and the blog looks great. Nice work.

[louisville327 0]

Thanks to everyone who has posted a comment!! You guys really make me feel good about myself and the work I'm doing on this little CJ here. It's time-consuming, but fun, and totally worth it when I get so much support.

Generally when visitors ask specific questions, I try to answer them in Private Messages, so if you see a few that look like they haven't been answered, they probably have been! Feel free to ask away, since I'm always willing to help people out in any way I can.

As for the election, the big day is almost upon us! The polling places are setting up and the media is primed for a long night of wall-to-wall coverage. Should be exciting!

Keep stopping by, and thanks again for all the support!