An OPEN LETTER to ArenaNET.
I realize of course that the living world storyline is something that is being played out for our benefit in real-time, and that world events are governed by it, but I write to ask if there is any intention of re-building Lion’s Arch, returning it to it’s former glory? This commentary has also been posed in order to put forward some ideas for ArenaNET. Perhaps you would not mind entertaining some ideas from the community?
How about a open world COMPETITION over all of the servers, inviting residents to provide a proposed street-plan for he re-envisioned Lion’s Arch.
If I were re-designing Lion’s Arch, I would create a Venice-like system of piled streets with wooden and stone buildings located in the middle of what is presently Sanctum Harbor and stretching out in all directions, with walkways going north to Western Ward and the destroyed docks there; south to the wreckage of the original lighthouse. East to Fort Marriner and cutting off sharply and forming a new waterfront and dock to the west forming a new ‘mouth’ to the harbor. The piles would be high enough to allow smaller vessels to go beneath them, and would take into account the wreckage in the water and the original ruins of Lion’s Arch. A large channel would also be located between the city to allow the passage of larger sea-going vessels, with bridges here and there to allow movement between different sides of that channel.
Given the proximity of the Tengu, it is logical to create a new trading district and market in the bay which lays immediately to the east of White Crane Terrace, and this in part would be on piles and on the beach front there, dominated by the memorial and statue of the seaman. The Bank and the Black Lion trading house could be re-built, as could the statue of the Lion which now lays ruined in the Grand Piazza, and the bridge which lays between that and the fort repaired and put back into use, effectively hanging over the re-build city now lying in the harbor.
The northern potion of Lion’s Arch, where the market used to be could be given over to new residential housing and Eastern Ward designated the new Asura Gate Complex location after demolition and remodeling. This brings me to the Inner Harbor, which I feel ought to be swept clean of debris and new harbor walls built, onto which would be located shops, warehouses for goods and docks for the larger vessels. Now that the ship-bridge has been demolished, the docks can be located there and go as far east as Postern Ward. The Asura can open the Gendarran Fields pass there once more as well. Farshore Ward would be given over to crops once more, and even extended up into Postern Ward, and the Asura Gate which was installed to allow access to Lornar’s Pass during the occupation be removed and replaced with a ‘pass’ which could be blown through the rock so that it provides easy access to the pass itself from and to Lion’s Arch.
To the south of Inner Harbor lays the remains of the Bloodcoast Ward road and Fort Marriner. I propose the fort be re-built and a permanent balloon station be added with two balloons (purpose to be decided as needed) and additional docks be installed, along with housing and storage with a custom-built arena for events behind it back against the cliffs. As an aside, perhaps the re-modeled Lion’s Arch might reflect the styles of it’s residents by putting in distinct Asura, Norn, Charr, Human, with a hint of Sylvari infulence as I’m sure the general lack of vegetation would not really appeal to them, except in the case of traders who might be selling organic wares.
Anyway, that’s my proposal – I’m sure ArenaNET already has plans for Lion’s Arch, but hey, this is a living world and as a resident I thought it might be fun to put in my two bronze coins worth!
Belenus.9132 (Arcos Shiningpaw, Maguuma)