Mr. Beer

Hi everyone! After a year without any new CJ, I'm finally ready to start an another new CJ. I spent lot of time between my work and my freetime to find the city I want to creat on SimCity4. I tried a first to make a recreation like Lincoln, NE, my last CJ, recreating Sioux Falls, SD. Not well started and bad-scaled, I decided to start something new, realistic as possible, but entirely fictional! First step: to find a cool city-name... and after, to draw a map, using the limit of the game (orthogonal grid, NAM, )...well, as many of my CJ, this one is North American-based... and my best skills is on flat-medium sized cities with large suburbs, farmlands and industry... I thank on an aborted project of recreating Des Moines, IA. It gives me an idea of the area where to build this new city and the name I can give to it! So... here is: Here is a map I created as a reference for my work, using the same design like the Yahoo maps (entirely done with Paintbrush) The fictional city and metropolitan area of Dubuque, IA is approximatively situated in the same place as the real Dubuque... Decided to use plopable water, I make Dubuque on the banks of the Massagamee River, a small river who flows to the Mississippi. The city is also the County seat of Dubuque and my goal is to arrive to a metro population of around 600'000 inhabitants. More to come soon! David

Hi folk! How are you doing? Me fine! Summer is coming and I spend a lot of time for hiking, biking,... But I didn't play a lot (weather is to beautiful to stay at home) I'm proud to anounce you that im fall August, I'm going to visit the canadian rockies, yeah! My trip will began in Calgary, Alberta (20th-21st August) then Banff (two days), Jasper (two days too), Revelstoke (one day), Kelowna (one day) and Vancouver, BC (29th-30th-31st August) then I fly back to Switzerland So, if someone is in the area, we can meet us! Nathanthemayor - Thanks. It's a modd I downloaded here on the STEX. I don't remember the name of it, but it's about the texture. Kusajika Yachiru - Thank you! I have some traffic, but on street and a few on the avenues. I don't know why. The worst is that my one-way based freeway system doesn't have traffic... Its that because there is no R, C or I in the front of it? I'll post some pictures soon with close-ups. Zulu2065 - Thanks! Yeah, with parking lot around it too? packersfan - Ouch... Is there a maner to recovery your serial number? It's bad you can't use the LE. Hope you will find a solution. Mayorm - Thank you! Benedict - Thanks! I built it three or four times before.. I found the idea on the "Show me your interchange..." in the forum section. GreekMan - Thank you a lot! Mikeaut1 - Thanks dude! Yep, the "transision area" was the only sector I've to rebuild. Google Earth pictures of downtown Des Moines, IA helped me a lot to plop the buidlings, parking lots, etc. The result is realistic Thank you again! Schulmanator - Thank you for your comment! Zulu2065 - Thanks!!! So, I'm going to look at an update this uncoming week, also stay tuned! David

Hi greekman! Good start! It's a challenging city you're doing here! Have fun! David

Downtown Dubuque, part I pop: 175.844h Here we go with the first part of downtown Dubuque and vicinity (East Dubuque, South Pointe) Downtown is the core of the metropolitan area of Dubuque, IA. This is also the place were the first settlers founded the City, which was incorporated in 1878. Julien Dubuque, a french canadian, was the founder of the colony. Also some places and streets have french name that reminds the origin of the first settlers. The Missigamee River was also used for mills industry (cereals), which some of them are still in function in the historic district of South Pointe. The sector was an important rail knot, between Chicago, IL, Cedar Rapids, IA, Des Moines, IA and La Crosse, WI. Now the Business District is insurance and banking oriented, with the implantation of logistics warehouses and some mills. There is also some nice cultural places, like the Dubuque Mod-Art Museum, the French-Canadian Heritage Museum, the South Pointe Stadium (baseball) the Toyota Center (Basketball, Lacrosse, Exhibitions) and a nice nightlife too (Dodge Street and South Pointe) Today view of Downtown. Dubuque, IA South, the South Pointe sectore, with two major avenues: 2nd and 4th. Dubuque, IA Downtown, Missigamee River and East Dubuque. The two shores are connected by (top to down) Grant Bridge, Julien Dubuque Bridge and Loras Avenue Bridge. Dubuque, IA Another view of South Pointe and Riverwalk Park. Dubuque, IA 2nd and 4th avenue crossing Martin L. King Parkway in South Pointe. Dubuque, IA The Hoover stack interchange, between I-29/I-92/I-129. Dubuque, IA South Pointe Stadium, near Martin L. King Parkway. Dubuque, IA The Mercy Medical Center. Dubuque, IA Neighborood near Hoover interchange and I-129. Dubuque, IA 4th Avenue crossing the Beaver River, near the Louis Murphy Park and the Veteran Hospital. Dubuque, IA Dubuque City Hall with the Mod-Art Museum. I-29/92 literally cuts the city core in two: Downtown (eastside) and West Village. Dubuque, IA The Toyota Center, nestled between 2nd and 4th with I-92. Dubuque, IA Downtown by night.... Dubuque, IA Thank you for your visit. David

Hi Parkersfan! I have different type of lots for these residential: 6x3, 3x3 and 1x3 and also the garage is inclued with the lot. For more diversity, I have two or three variants for each lots. Did you find Lot Editor on the official SimCity's site? Take care, David

Hi everyone!!! Sure, I didnt have made any update since a long time... I'm very busy and I spend my freetime to do some sports (hiking, biking...) Sometimes I take a look on Simtropolis to take some news. Now I'm on holidays, for one week! I'm going to take some times to make an update, especially on downtown Dubuque! Thank you my friend for your patience! hijodecordoba - Thanks for your comment! Benedict - Thanks. Yes, the building looks big and not to scale... packersfan - Thanks! The railyards? I didn't make anythings that looks exceptional with my railtracks nathanthemayor - Thanks! x493x - Hi, thanks for your comment. I use the PEG's pond and stream kit (avaible here on the STEX) I also use his ploppable trees. Very usefull for detailed rivers. Don't expect to make large woods or wide rivers, props are 1x1 or 2x2 large. zcg4755 - Thanks! Zulu2065 - Thanks! As I explain on the top of the reply, an update will come soon! Mayorm - Thanks! Hilton (Paris)... why did I give this name to this hotel? lol. Thanks again for your post and have a nice Easter! David

Hi everyone! Finally, here is an update, yes! But before to start, I would like to thanks Lucky7 District of North Dubuque, Dubuque, IA pop: 251.288 North Dubuque is a district north (yes) of downtown Dubuque. Since the foundation of the city, the industry tough a great place, due to the presence of railways and the Missagamee River. There is some old industrial building scattered along Central Avenue but most of them were demolished. One famous place in North Dubuque is the Greyhound Island Park. Before to become a leisure place, the island was a railway knot due to the junction of several railway bridges and a dump site. Politics with the help of some people in the city contribute to refurbish the place in the mid 50'. Dubuque's buisnessmen offer donation to build sport field, vacational home and a trail. The park is easely accessible by the US Route 51. The Greyhound Park Mansion and is dog race track. The mansion is property of the City of Dubque and beside the use of dog course, it's used for official reception, charity gala... North Dubuque, IA Overview of Greyhound Park with US-51, Dubuque, IA The McAlees Recreational Park, south of the island. Dubque, IA Hilton Inn at Greyhound Park and the campground. Dubuque, IA Kerper Ave in North Dubque with Linwood Lake, Dubuque, IA Linwood Lake and Linwood Cemetary, Dubuque, IA Junction of Kerper Ave. and US-51, Dubuque, IA Interchange with I-29 and US-51, Dubuque, IA I-29 runs to the north and passes next the Saint-John College, Dubuque, IA Auto salvage and railtrack near Eagle Point, on the opposite banks of Greyhound Park, Dubuque, IA Flexsteel Plant, north of Greyhound Park, Dubuque, IA Railyards, mills and warehouses in the former industrial site of Dubuque, IA The "old" North Dubuque. Dubuque, IA The Stonehill Care Center between Central and Kerper Ave. Dubuque, IA I-29 at Euclid St, Dubuque, IA On the opposite of North Dubuque, the neighboor of Hiawata. East Dubuque, IA. Thank you for your visit! Take care, David

René - Everything is ok... I have a ton of job at work and I spend my weekends to go outside as many time I can. But I don't practice skiing... I do snowshoes walking... I'm looking to play again with SC4 soon and to make some updates. And you? Did you go to the mountains these times? Take care, David omnivoroceo - Thanks a lot! As well, this is not an exact replica of Dubuque, IA, but an "androïd" city that looks much more to Des Moines, IA or Dayton, OH. Glad you like it!

Hayyy... I didn't make any updates since... a long time ago!!! Between my job, my friends, snowshoes in the Alps... It was hard to find time and to get motivated to play with SC4... So, I must to motivate myself because I have a lot of thinks to present you. I just need time! It would be a great occasion to test this new forum and its applications! Benedict - Yes, I'm a little bit a roadgeek... penguin007 - Thank you Will for your comment! lucky7 - Thanks René. How are you doing? It's thal allright with your CJ? I red that yours is on hiatus due to a technical problem. Hope it will be recovered and everything will be OK. Thank you again and take care! dfnva - Thanks Dan. It's a fictionnal Interstate. Also I-29 is fictionnal too (maybe I-92 really exits but do not cross Iowa) packersfan - Thanks Dude! nate1245 - Thanks! Yes, my fictionnal city takes place between Rockford, IL and Waterloo, IA. The real Dubuque is approximatly situated in the same place. Glad you like it! x493x - Thanks! Based on a one-mile grid (1604m) which you can see in the Midwest... It is equal to 14 blocks of six tiles wide -> (14x6) + 15 (the streets between the blocks) = 99 tiles. On tile = 16m alos 16m x 99 tiles = 1584m. It's not exactly one mile but I have the same blocks each time. nathanthemayor - Thank you very much! Take care and thank for your patience! David

Hi Ren

This is a region picture of my current CJ about Dubuque, Iowa. It's a fictionnal urban area based on typical Midwestern cities I was inspired by cities like Des Moines, IA or Dayton, OH... If you want to see the region in abigger size, here is a link: http://img18.imageshack.us/i/dubuque8x8.jpg/ Cheers! David

Hello everyone, how are you doing? Yep, finally, my holidays are soon off and tomorrow I'll be back to work... I spent a tons of hours to design, study, test something interesting for the I-329 that I'm going to show you below! Benedict - Thanks, made with paintbrush! 830point35 - Thank you! rewright - Thanks my friend! Which parking lot are you talking about? tepodon - Thanks! Simply made with Region Census, I save an image of the transportation network in a JPG format, then I open IrfanView (I don't have Photoshop or something like) and I resize the image (for exemple 1800x1800) and it will be perfectly squared. Juste have to rotate it by -22.5° and save the new image. The I open Paintbrush, move the image on the left top corner, resize and it's now ready! Dubuque I-329 (Julien Dubuque Freeway) First studies: mid-1999 Final design: october 2005 Final cost: $ 1.455 billions Construction starts: september 2008 Construction ends: november 2010 Total lenght: 29.455km or 18.320 miles Number of exits: 12 Profile: 2x2 lanes with central median Now I'm proud to present you the freshly inaugurated Interstate 329 that links I-29 to I-92 by the east. It was a ten years story of studies, urban management, political tractations... two options were choosen: A southwest loop or a southeast loop? The southwest loop: decrease the traffic in the junction of I-29 and I-92 at Rockland, north of the airport The southeast loop: the same goal, but by this new section, it will increase the potential of urban developement in the S-E part of the metro area, that has been during several decades under-developed and who as the adventage to be very close from downtown. The S-W loop would offer attractivity for sprawling in a part of the Dubuque's metropolitan area that is over-satured. Aerial picture of I-329 How the transit map looks like... I'll do a better one We can make a little trip on this new freeway. We are coming from I-29 northbound and going to take the I-329 by the new direct T interchange. The interchange has several flyover ramps, due to the presence of the Dubuque - Davenport railtracks. The rest area has been demolished and rebuild on the I-329 between the exits 3 and 4. Interchange with US route 61 Straight section of I-329 Approaching Old Davenport Rd South of La Motte, interchange with US route 52 Junction with Centerville Rd, east of La Motte, IA New junction with Spanish Mine Rd. Saint Donatus, IA I-329 passing between residential area and Lake La Motte, the most controversial section. Saint Donatus, IA Trumpet junction with the new Massey Rd, north of La Motte, IA Interchange with the new extension of Martin Luther King Parkway. Junction near Menominee, IA Cloverleaf interchange with US route 20. Menominee, IA And finally, I-329 ends with the I-92 on East Dubuque, IA. Thanks to www.kurumi.com and its helpfull Java software that helps me to design these road signs! More will come next week with the Martin Luther King Parkway extension! Have a nice week and take care, David

Happy New Year 2011!!! All my best wishes for you, dear Simtropolis member! Galena, IA pop: 26.522 So, here is the last update about the NW suburbs and after that, I'm going to show you on what I worked during the last week... Galena is an unincorpored municipality that is situated, in majority, east of I-129, exept some rare lands that are outside the interstate (like the Galena Park Mall) Dodge Street is also the city's main arterial. Warehouses development on exit 28 at I-129 and Fork Rd. Galena, IA Dodge St. You can see the ramps of the interchange of I-129/NW Arterial Rd. Galena, IA Business park at Central Rd. Galena, IA Residential area along Dodge St. Galena, IA NW Iowa Healthcare System on Central Rd. Galena, IA Dodge St, near the Central Galena School. Galena, IA Beaverdale Park north of I-129. Galena, IA Dodge St and Euclid Ave. Galena, IA Exits 29 and 30 on Euclid Ave and Central Rd. Galena, IA Cedar Ridge Park and Sport Complex. Galena, IA Close-up on a section of Dodge St. Galena, IA Another close-up, westward, near Euclid Ave. Road Map of Dubuque, IA Some work has be done on the transit network. I'll show this on the next update. Below, the same map but with the I-329 extension project that will connect with the I-29. A new interchange will be build in the place of the rest area. This new connection will discharge the interchange of I-29 and I-92 north of the airport that is actually problematic due to the heavy traffic and it will make easier the connection between these two interstates and the US-20. Also stay tuned!!! David

You're welcome, Ren

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!! And thank you for your support during this special and hard year... it was very appreciated! And yes, I was nominated for the Trixie's Award 2010 in two categories and I would like to thank you for that! Congratulations to the winners, especially to : - lucky7: You inspired me a lot and it's always a pleasure to visit your CJ! - Nardo69: Thank you! ... and also millions of thanks to all the people who visits, posts, comments, etc. my CJ: - Backercity - Benedict - Mikeaut - Simbourgeois - Schulmanator - dfnva - packersfan - and many more!!! Take care and have a great X-Mas day! David

Hi there! How are you doing? Still two days to work and then I'll be off two and an half weeks!!! I'm heager to be next wednesday! Benedict - Thank you very much! penguin007 - Thank you Will! selles - Thanks! Hours and hours of LE playing, Modds and BAT's downloading, tests, etc... it's incredible to see that this game is still alive since its release. What I'm building yet wouldn't be possible some years ago. But the pleasure to play has not really changed! malibu_man - Thanks! Yes, I do, but sometimes it doesn't work because some areas are mostly residential or agricultural and Sims are not very "on the move" to drive thru one or two maps to go to work... City of Centralia, IA pop: 44.684 Now we're going to visit the area around the interchange of I-129 and I-229, were W Arterial Avenue ends and connect with I-129. This were the Galena Mall is situated. This is the largest mall in Dubuque Metro Area with more than 1.100.000 sq ft. of retail space and the second largest in Iowa. Busy intersection at Marshall Ave and Dodge St. Centralia, IA Area around Marshall Ave. Centralia, IA Industrial and residential devellopment near Dodge St. Centralia, IA On J. F. Kennedy Rd. Centralia, IA W Arterial Ave. Centralia, IA The Galena Mall itself, anchored with Sear's and Navy Pier. The mall is situated between Dodge St, J. F. Kennedy Rd and I-129 (Exit 29). Centralia, IA Not only surounded by a huge parking lot, there is also some offices, restaurant and retail shops around it. Centralia, IA Another view of the Galena Mall. It was first built in 1968, with an important extension in 1980 and a complete renovation in 2008 for its 30th anniversary. Note, the blue watertower serves as a spot for the mall. Centralia, IA Dodge St and the mall's north parking lot entrance. Centralia, IA W Arterial Ave. Centralia, IA Modern suburban office building owned by NorthEast Bank. Centralia, IA Another one along W Arterial Ave. Centralia, IA The I-129/I-229 Interchange. Just after the junction, I-229 ends and become W Arterial Ave. Centralia, IA Dodge St, again. Centralia, IA Centralia, IA In Forster Park you will find also AquaLand Centralia. Probably the only open air pool in the area. Centralia, IA So, I hope you will enjoy the days before X-Mas and certainly I'll post something here before! Have a nice week and take care! David

First time I visit your CJ and your work is absolutely amazing! I fall on it by reading a Non-grid cities' thread... So keep it up and take care! David

For sure, Paris, Rome, London or Madrid are in the top of the most beautiful european cities, due in part to their history and heritage. You can include Amsterdam, Venice or Barcelona for their unique urbanism... and also Berlin, for its particularities. Mine are: Munich, Germany: Rich heritage of Bavarian history, in the heart of the German's top industries, a mix of genuine culture and modernism of a metropole. Belgrade, Serbia: An astonishing city I recently discovered: rich history, nice place to see, huge night life. Add some typical soviet architecture and urbanism and you get something interesting Anvers (Antwerpen) Belgium: never been but I heard that the city is very charming And my hometown: Lausanne, Switzerland: small city on the shores of the Lake of Geneva, with a view on the Alps, the lake, next to the terraced vineyards of Lavaux, with an incredible cultural and night life despite its size

Hi folks, how are you? Me, it's okay... too much work as always and less time to spend to my computer during the weekends... dfnva - Thank you! Hope you've enjoyed! Mercury96 - Thank you! TheMentalist - Thank you very much for your post! Benedict - Thanks! By surfing on Google Earth, in and around Iowa, I find a lot of small cemetaries in the middle of nowhere or just beside a town... Thank you again and take care! jakehh - Oh, many thanks! I'm sure you're are very good too, we all have different manner to play with this fabulous game! hijodecordoba - Thank you! Like me, I just were in Chicago and in Florida but never in Iowa... But now with the Internet (maps, pictures, Google Earth) you can, and that is astonishing, make a recreation of a region you've never been! But sure, these tools will never replace a good travel! malibu-man - Thank you, I'm very glad! x493x - Thanks! Me too!!! It's why I sometimes spend hours to drive thru my cities with the U-Drive-It... Thank you again! Now we will continue to the NW suburbs of Dubuque before to go to visit downtown and uptown! We are going to follow the uncompleted I-229... North Centralia, IA - part of the City of Centralia pop: 44.684 North Centralia, IA is a modern suburban community west of I-229, borderd by Douglas Acres to the North and Galena to the South. East of I-229, along Pennsylvania Ave (Exit 9). North Centralia, IA Pennsylvania Ave, west of I-229: small warehouses, Northern Iowa Railtracks and a go-kart ring. North Centralia, IA Junction of Pennsylvania Ave and Seippel Ave, just next the antenna of local radios. North Centralia, IA Middle Ave, in the core of the suburb. North Centralia, IA Middle Ave and Waterloo Ave. North Centralia, IA Waterloo Ave, with its retailers chain, fast food and some warehouses. North Centralia, IA Junction of Waterlo Ave and I-229 at exit 10. This where I-229 begins (or ends). The junction is bordered by North Centralia Shopping Center. North Centralia, IA Now I-229 became W Arterial Ave until it merges with I-129. On the left you have the Centralia Plaza Center, a small shopping mall opened in 1987. North Centralia, IA Out of the city limits, by following Waterloo Ave, we can see the Center Grove Community College and some residential devellopment. Center Grove, IA. Thank you for your visit and take care, David

Nice introduction Ren

Hi Bernhard! Very nice work here! Your rail network and all the details are so stunning! It remembers to me what you can see on a scale-model railroad. See you and take care, David

Hi there! I had a hard week at work and I did some extras this weekend but now I've some time to make an update! Mayorm - Thank you! Benedict - Thanks! More pictures are ready to be posted... I just need time ;-) sammerhammer747 - Thank you! I picked some ideas from Camp Dodge, north of Des Moines, IA. As a Swiss citizen, I did my military duty (not completly) so, I know how a military camp looks like. Thank you again for your post! packerfan - Yes ans it looks great. It was funny to build it. Thank you! malibu_man - Thank you! It tooks to me around one and a half year to build this region (8x8 big maps) dfnva - Thank you Dan! This is the last farmland update and its about Rickardsville, IA, a small community in the NW area of the Dubuque Metro Area. Enjoy! Rickardsville, IA pop: 2.346 Overview of Rickardsville, with the Main St, the church and the water tower, Rickardsville, IA Saint Francis cemetary in Rickardsville, IA IA-61 running thru the fields. It's the main connector to Dubuque. Rickardsville, IA Commercial and industrial devellopment north of Rickardsville, IA, along IA-61 Low density residential west of the city. Rickardsville, IA Another community cemetary (Sainte Claire Cemetary) next to IA-61. Rickardsville, IA Don't forget! - Special links: If you want, you can check the Dubuque Metro Area in a larger picture by following this link: http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/6393/dubuque8x8.jpg See you and thank you for your visit! David

Beautiful city. Like your selection of skyscrapers for downtown Auburn. Nice also the use of squares for your citie's distrcts. By the way, is there no expressway around your city's center? Good luck and take care. David

Great update!!! Nice to see how you've made the approach of downtown Winchester with the Interstate! Take care! David