Arts & Entertainment

Theaters

Ritzy Victorian era theater called "The Emporium" - very much THE spot for theater and plays in the Pulp era. Home to USO shows during Golden Age. Becomes a movie house, struggling to make ends meet (non-stop shows all the time), in the Silver Age. In the Iron Age it is shut down and apparently vacant (but the home to a villain called "The Subterranean" who lived in caverns dug under the basement). Finally in the Modern Age it has re-opened and is the home of a small theater production group that does Shakespeare, etc. "The Subterranean" is long gone, but his caverns remain.

Nightlife (dance clubs, etc)

During prohibition there are a number of speakeasy joints and gin clubs in the warehouse district. One notable high-class exception is "The Library". A new municipal library was built in 1926, and the old building shut down and sold in auction. The smuggler/bootlegger Sudsy Lemon bought it and operates a very high class speakeasy joint, with showgirls and gambling and everything. It is taken over in 1932 by Anthony Moreno. A year later, prohibition was repealed, and it became a very famous nightclub. Later on (in the Golden Age), the "Olympus Elite" hotel was built next door, and bought "the Library". The hotel's name was shortened to "The Olympus", the best 5-star in the city, and the nightclub still functions today.

Museums

The Travers Museum of Antiquities (usually just called the Travers) was founded by the fortune amassed by Pulp era archaeologist/adventurer Wellington Travers. His Promethean Era statues brought back from Greenland remain quite popular even today, in spite of and probably because of the rumors of them being some sort of portal to a dark dimension.

General Douglas MacArthur is buried in the city; there is a small museum for him, and a major shopping mall across the street from his burial site is named for him.

Libraries

See the notes above concerning the original Neptune City Municipal Library. The current main branch of the Municipal Library is also home to some of the Antiquities Collection from Nansemond University.

Hotels

The Olympus is the highest rated hotel in the City. An old Civil War era hotel called "The Atlantic Star", near Fort Neptune, is still open for business (it has burned down and been rebuilt 4 times since 1854 when it was first erected). In spite of being rebuilt several times, the building is said to be haunted.

Tourist traps

Other tourist destinations include the Virginia Zoo, the Chrysler Museum of Art, the Neptune City Botanical Garden, Nauticus, and the Ghent historic district.

Historic district and/or historic landmarks and locales

Fort Neptune, built in the 1670s was the first real settlement along the river. It was originally a Dutch settlement, called the "Overzeese Stadfort" and was captured by the English and renamed Fort Neptune.

Food & Dining

Restaurants

Bars

Specialty grocers

Business & Professional Services

Main Financial District

I've always liked the idea of the financial district being on "Bank Street". It would be home to (among others) the following...

1. The Neptune City World Trade Center. (opened in the 50s)

2. Mid-Atlantic Stock Exchange. (opened in 1898)

3. Sea-Venture Bank (formerly the Waterman's Savings & Trust until 2003) - this is important because Sea-Venture not only is the biggest bank in the city (target of a lot of silver and modern age street scenarios), but it is also (modern age) the home of the second fastest super-computer in the world that backs the largest bank in North America. The super-computer is home to the A.I. villain "Virex".

Poor Business District

I'm thinking of two areas. Both were ethnic neighborhoods in the 20s, and had a brief renaisance in the 50s, but the businesses failed, and they quickly became poor business areas.

1. One, called "River Wharf", is along the Elizabeth River, and is a typical very poor waterfront business area (lots of warehouses, some wholesale fish markets, many alleyways, closed factories). Famous for being the home of the "Starlight Bowl-a-Rama" (more on that later).

2. The second, called "the Crucible", was once the site of a nice shopping district (in the 50s) but it went downhill fast during the 60s and 70s. Now it is the home of seedy dance clubs, bars, liquor stores, and pawn shops. The name comes from the fact that it is an area bounded by four main streets, and the whole region is depressed. It tends to flood really badly. Easily the home to a great deal of weirdness (ethnic gangsters, villains, occult activity). Probably an old exercise club or two that feature a couple of boxers.

Upscale Business District

There should be a "High Street", which is home to not only high dollar law offices and real estate boutiques, but also to very, very expensive jewelry and clothing stores. Perhaps the weird curiosity (arcane?) shop that caters to wealthy tastes. A couple of Empire era (20s-30s) large scale skyscraper-cum-department stores (which would have been THE location in the 40s-70s) could have been gutted and turned into a ritzy shopping mall in the modern era.

Science and Technology sites

1. Norfolk County Community College - where the poor kids go to school. Little real science, but a couple of labs. Converted in the late 1960s from the old Markus Trade School (where mechanics and electronics was taught). The Trade School was founded by money donated by the widow of "Speed" Markus. Speed was a shipping Millionaire in the 1920s who had a thing for fast speed boats. He (out of boredom and quest for adventure) became a crime fighter and helped to hunt down smugglers.

2. Eastern Virgina University - state funded university, home to lots of research.

3. Nansemond University - ritzy ivy league private university, 300 years old, and the site of all sorts of archaic and eccentric researchers (sort of a Miskatonic U.). Located outside of Neptune City, over the Elizabeth River and in Suffolk.

4. Orion Technologies - lab specializing in researching alternative materials and alternative energies. Inventer of cer-a-met armor. Founded in 1961 by Professor Danny Joust, with a navy grant (from the Secret Submarine Force) to study materials recovered from an alien spacecraft recovered off the cost of Virginia.

5. Freas Rocket Field - Rocket test field from the late 1940s, turned into Freas Missile Range in the 80s. Located out in the county.

6. Neptune City Medical College - responsible for running "Angel of Mercy" hospital. The Hospital was a catholic hospital, with a convent, up until the 1950s, then it closed and became a commercial hospital with a Nursing school. In the 1970s, with a grant from the Governor, it became a Medical College. Lots of medical research and medical labs.

7. Synthicon Laboratories - weapons laboratory. Curiously, not funded by government grants, but by anonymous private donations. Some of the inventions are sold to weapons manufacturers, but considering the resources and number of researchers, the vast majority of the inventions here are never heard of in public light again.

Legal Services

Any number of lawyers and law services. The one notable one is Rudifus and Gallagher. Trevor Rudifus is the real name of a masked Mystery man who fought crime and spies in the 40s. He was exposed to a mysterious volcano in the Pacific South Seas, and in addition to turning his skin a shade of blue and his hair white, the volcano granted him with eternal youth and health. He used this gift to retire from Spy-hunting after WWII, and to set up a legal office that helps the poor (often for free). He is quite a celebrity. He is currently (modern age) working with the third generation of Gallagher, young Lisa Gallagher.

Construction & Contractors

You got me on this, but there just has to be an "Acme Builders", as well as a small contracting company that hires kids from Neptune City Community College, maybe "College Builders".

Community & Government

Courthouse(s)

City Prosecutor's Office

Public Defender's Office

Jails/prisons

Super-prison

City Hall

Publicly known super bases

Police Stations

Military facilities

Neptune City is a major military center. With Portsmouth (directly across the Elizabeth River, housing the Naval Shipyard), it forms an extensive naval complex. The headquarters of the 5th Naval District, the Atlantic Fleet, the 2nd Fleet, and the Allied Command Transformation are at Sewell's Point. The Navy Base is the largest naval base in the United States and includes a naval air station and other facilities. Several vessels of the Navy have been named USS Norfolk after the county. The battleship USS Wisconsin is berthed at the Nauticus National Maritime Center.

Fire Departments

Utilities (power, water, waste)

Education

Schools - Public

The city's public school system comprises 5 high schools, 8 middle schools, 34 elementary schools, and 9 special-purpose/preschools. Neptune City Public Schools recently received a 2005 National Academic Award for having one of the most outstanding public school systems in the nation.

Schools - Private

1. 
   

2. Beaumonte Academy - Founded in 1831, The Beaumonte Academy is a PreK-12 private international school located on Neptune City's south side offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme for all grades up through the IB Diploma Programme. With the opening of Riverside Preschool in 2006, Beaumonte Academy now offers IB Primary Years Program for children ages 2-4. The Beaumonte Academy continues to be a trendsetter in international education with nearly 50 countries represented in its student body. Beaumonte’s rigorous IB program, world-class facility, and IBO certified faculty prepare the future generation of well-educated and ethical world leaders. The School believes and expects that its students will one day use their unique "spark of genius" to build a better world.

Colleges & Universities

1. Norfolk County Community College - where the poor kids go to school. Converted in the late 1960s from the old Markus Trade School (where mechanics and electronics was taught). The Trade School was founded by money donated by the widow of "Speed" Markus. Speed was a shipping Millionaire in the 1920s who had a thing for fast speed boats. He (out of boredom and quest for adventure) became a crime fighter and helped to hunt down smugglers.

2. Eastern Virgina University - state funded university.

3. Nansemond University - Ritzy ivy league private university, 300 years old, and the site of all sorts of archaic and eccentric researchers (sort of a Miskatonic U.). Located outside of Neptune City, over the Elizabeth River and in Suffolk.

4. Neptune City Medical College - Responsible for running "Angel of Mercy" hospital. The Hospital was a catholic hospital, with a convent, up until the 1950s, then it closed and became a commercial hospital with a Nursing school. In the 1970s, with a grant from the Governor, it became a Medical College.

Health & Medicine

Hospitals

Angel of Mercy" hospital

Asylums

Other Medical Facilities

Industry & Agriculture

Major Industries

Minor Industries

Farming

Media & Communications

At least 2 rival newspapers

1. The Neptune City Pilot is the more traditional, conservative daily newspaper. It is also the most popular printer news source in Neptune City 9it's Sunday edition is read by an estimated 68% of the city, and 62% of the surrounding county). Founded in 1721, the paper prides itself on never once having had to publish a retraction due to a factual error on their part.

2. The Tidewater Atlas. Founded in 1921, the Tidewater Atlas uses slick production graphics and hip language to appeal to urban elite. Employing a young and active breed of reporter, the RR is more often that not the first to break the really big stories – unfortunately, they also have a history of running stories before verifying all of their sources. The Tidewater Atlas currently hold the record in the state for the most number of libel law suits issued against a news publication in a single year.

TV & Radio stations

Real Estate

Housing - Middle-class

Housing - Ritzy

Housing - Low income high density housing, i.e. projects

Ethic neighborhoods

Suburbs

Shopping

Clothing & Accessories

Computers & Electronics

Home & Garden

Personal Care

Automotive, Boats, & Other Vehicles

Sports & Recreation

Stadiums, Arenas & Fields

Pro Sports Teams

Golf Courses

Recreational Facilities

Natural Areas (parks or nearby wilderness)

Beaches

Boat Ramps / Marinas

Travel & Transportation

Streets & Bridges

Neptune City is linked with its neighbors through an extensive network of arterial and Interstate highways, bridges, tunnels, and bridge-tunnel complexes, notably the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel which enters Neptune City near Willoughby Spit. The major east-west routes are Interstate 64, U.S. Highway 58 and U.S. Highway 460. The major north-south routes are U.S. Highway 13 and U.S. Highway 17.

Waterways

The Virginia Port Authority runs four general cargo terminals-Norfolk International Terminals, Portsmouth Marine Terminal, Newport News Marine Terminal, and the Virginia Inland Port in Front Royal-which are operated by its affiliate, Virginia International Terminals, Inc.

Virginia's strategic mid-Atlantic location and unparalleled transportation infrastructure offer steamship lines and shippers unbeatable access to two-thirds of the U.S. population with more than 75 international shipping lines and one of the most frequent direct sailing schedules of any port. Virginia has the best natural deepwater harbor on the U.S. East Coast. Fifty-foot-deep, unobstructed channels provide easy access and maneuvering room for the largest of today's container ships. Virginia ports are located just 18 miles from the open sea on a year-round, ice-free harbor. Virginia ports have long maintained a reputation for efficient and uncongested intermodal service. The bottom line is in the numbers: The Port of Virginia transports more intermodal containers to more cities faster and more efficiently than any other port in the United States. As the largest intermodal facility on the U.S. East Coast, Virginia offers six direct-service trains to 28 major cities each day. More than 50 motor-carrier companies offer full freight-handling and load-consolidation services. A modern network of interstate and local highways permits fast, direct inland motor-freight transportation to any point in the United States.

Airport

Neptune City and the rest of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area (including Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Newport News, Hampton, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Williamsburg and Poquoson, Virginia) are served by the Neptune City International Airport and Patrick Henry International Airport.

Bus

An extensive transit bus system and para-transit services are provided by Hampton Roads Transit, a regional public transport system headquartered in Hampton. A light rail service within the city is in planning stages.

Train

Neptune City is served by Amtrak via connecting bus with the railroad line across Hampton Roads which terminates at Newport News, and runs west along the Virginia Peninsula to Richmond. A high speed rail connection at Richmond to both the Northeast Corridor and the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor are also under study.

 

Criminal Elements

Organized Crime

Street Gangs

Informers (stool-pigeons)