Helena Reconstruction Update

[Mirtok 2853]

*A crowd filters down the narrow street atop the Market Alley bridge towards the western sectors of the city. A light blanket of soot and ash still permeates the nooks and crannies of the old coddle road. Bits of charr have found home atop the many roofs near the epicenter of the Great Fire. But still, the heat and murderous smoke have long since left the city. As the denizens of Helena come to the end of the Market Street they are met with several Imperial State Army soldiers with various tools of construction slung over their shoulders. Standing elevated above them is the Lord Mayor of Helena and Captain of the 1^st Brigade, Alren DeNurem . . .

 

“My fellow citizens of Helena, behind me was once a dilapidated and poor excuse for Imperial living. Behind me was once a raging inferno that threatened to claim the whole city as it blazed out of control. And behind me was once nothing more than rolling hills of fine ash and burnt tinder.

 

Before you are the men and women who have worked tirelessly since the Great Helena Fire claimed Wheezer Way and Gambino Lane. Soldiers of the Imperial State Army who would happily lay down their lives to protect yours. And soldiers who have toiled in this last year to continue to provide for the citizens of the Empire. I too have spent long hours atop scaffolds and within the foundries of the Bastille, preparing building materials, drawing schematics, and directing labor forces. I promised, as your Lord Mayor, that we would take care of those affected by this fire. I promised that when I was elected that all citizens of Helena would share in the same wealth and prosperity as even the most affluent of our kind.”

 

*Stops for a moment to gesture towards the towering buildings behind him . . .

 

 

“Behind me now stands a new concept of living. Buildings designed to resist succumbing to flames. Complexes that project a certain dignity that Imperial Citizens can be proud of, living side by side with their fellow Man. We have worked hard to create spacious, yet affordable housing- of superior quality to what stood before. We have brought modern pavements to your streets and connected sewege lines to your homes. Multiple public services will be made available in the near future that will be sure to improve the daily lives of all.

 

As promised in my executive edict, Helena Housing Project, everything in this district shall be rent controlled under Class A housing. Meaning, the yearly taxation will forever remain at 50 mina. Additionally, I promised that all those who had lost their homes in the fires would receive a unit in these complexes free of charge and exempt from one years taxation while they piece their lives together again.

 

What stood before brought us all shame; exorbitant buy in prices, crippling taxes, abysmal living conditions. Purchase costs have been reduced by half! Taxes have been reduced to a third of what they were! And overall living conditions have sky rocketed! Please contact your local steward to inquire about moving into one of our new units. And now, feel free to explore this new neighborhood. Much is still yet planned for this district and all citizens are welcome to suggest construction projects to the office of the City Clerk or the Lord Mayor.”

 

 

 

*The Lord Mayor would wave his hand signalling the soldiers to clear a path to allow the Citizens of Helena entrance 

into the district. He would then wait idly by to answer any questions levied by the populace before him . . .

[Morigung-oog 5699]

Vexalia wondered if she’d get a more spacious clinic.

[John Ivory 4547]

“Where we would be without the Engineers Corps is a most frightening prospect.”

 

The Duke Helena comments as he tours the newly erected buildings.