As the hot-spot for the Autobot-Decepticon war, Central City has often been the chosen battlefield for the two factions.  Anything, any place in the town is considered fair game, whether or not the Autobots do what they can to protect citizens and property.

In the months following the Reawakening, the Decepticons made no attempt to be subtle.  They immediately raided, destroyed and plotted for global domination to rape the planet of its natural resources.  And because the Autobots were in a particular location, the Decepticons, being the kind of creatures who are always out to pick a fight, chose to fight in a location that at first, had no significant influence on world powers.  By the year 1987, however. all eyes turned to this little town with a population of only 400,000.   By the year 2021, Central City boasted of a population of 2 million plus, including a mix of Humans, Autobots (always consider that many Autobots are also former Paratrons) and extra-terrestrials who come to live and conduct business with the Autobots and other nations.

war wounds A good bit of landscape around the north-eastern part of Central City was destroyed during the first few months of the initial invasion.  In most cases, much of the land was repaired, but around Dead Town, some of the more damaged ground became contaminated, incapable of growing anything for many years.

Central City stretches  a good 20 miles south to north.

Attempting to attain power,  Sean Berger created a falsified power plant located seven miles south of  Harding Manufacturing.

"They drove into the seedy part of town where a mall stood dark and empty. There were many such buildings in this side of the city. This was Central City’s memorial to the destruction of the Decepticons. This was where the great meteor ‘Meetorini-Chiparooni’ landed. Echoes of a terrible battle between Optimus Prime and the Dinobots vibrated against the walls. The Dinobot’s murder-lust left psychic footprints here. "

"A dead factory stood here. Cold steadfast walls marked by laser burns and graffiti stood against the cold. This was where humans were enslaved by the Decepticons. Ninety-four people died during Megatron’s reign of terror that year. Berger nearly lost his life. Many battles had taken place in this part of town; many."  --"Testament*

Harding Weapons Manufacturing Complex-Western entrance

Abandoned complex, 1985

Umpqua River, North

Harding Complex-North-Eastern grounds.

Dead Town-Spanish Ave

Central City started out with a population not much larger than that of Sacramento, California in the year 2000.

Under Autobot influence, the city took on a new look, offering such opportunities as space flight  programs and the formation of Earth Defense Command . . .

. . . and an education system designed to compete with alien economies from around the galaxy.

Third time's a charm: The Cascade Stadium was built in 1985 as a gift by Berger Enterprises.  It was seriously damaged  during the Cybertronian Orbital Occupation.  The Autobots helped repair it just before they were found guilty of plotting against Humanity and thereby exiled from Earth.  During Megatron's reign, it was damaged yet again as a show of power.

The following  year Decepticon Blitzwing  used the stadium as a base of operations during his coup against Megatron.   The Autobots helped to repair it yet again.

"Morgan Stadium was dedicated to Jessica Morgan who risked her life to bring Optimus Prime back from the death throws of a supernova. She died shortly after the Hate Plaque, weakened by shock from injury during the Decepticon assault on Metroplex in 2012. Optimus deeply grieved her loss and refused to attend the funeral."--Testament: Chapter 8

Most ‘accessible’ (or Autobot-friendly) buildings were built with the assistance of the Autobots, as Central City had become  more than just the closest town to Fort Max. Now it was a major space port, a place often visited by aliens of all races and breeds. Built for creatures of all sizes, most of the buildings were virtual works of art. The roadways, too, were reconstructed, broadened in most places, to allow landing space for triple changers. All the city’s modifications came out of the Autobot’s expenses as Optimus wanted his people to adapt and melt into Human society but not at the Humans’ expense. After all, no matter how much at home the Autobots would feel on Earth, they would always still be guests.

Just south-east of downtown is the Mountainscape museum

Many of Central City's roadways were repaved and widened to accommodate larger Transformers.

Courthouses, shopping malls, even many cinemas were reconstructed to fit all sizes of Douglas county's citizens.

Sean W. Berger is another of Central City's more prestigious citizens.  His wealth and power have certainly turned more than one head in his direction-and more to the point, even unwanted attention has been garnered his way.   Sean Berger, the son of Don and Ludmilla Berger, started his great wealth as early as nineteen years when he made his first thousand through the stock market.  As bright as Sean Berger was, he suffered from inferiority and had a difficult time dealing with people.  The consequences of his dealing with the Decepticons left his company in a shambles.  But five years later, Berger was able to pull out of bankruptcy.  But his reputation was ruined and he spent the rest of his life in atonement.  Part of his City Compensation Program was the refunding and replacement of all public transportation throughout Central City, which later on extended to Fort Max under the direction of Berger's only son, Jarek.

Central City Bank-owned by Berger Enterprises.

Cascade College-funded in part by Berger Enterprises.

Dealing with Decepticons-not always the  best way to attain a good reputation.

Why would any sane individual pack his/her family and move from any section of the country to live in Central City, where they know danger is imminent?  Many experts mused over this oddity for years.  But people were looking for opportunity-something many of them did not have in other places.  Scientists, doctors, artists, contractors all moved to Central City for the chance at a better, more fulfilled life.

Central City was often the target of Decepticon hostility if for no other reason than its vicinity to the Autobots.

Massive reconstruction projects have given Central City new life, every few years-

-all such reconstruction have been at the Autobot's expense.

Influenced by Autobot and other extra-terrestrial designs, many cities on Earth were reconstructed with size and shape flexibility.

Because many Human cities were willing to accommodate the Autobots, Optimus Prime felt compelled to build other cities on Earth.

Metroplex was moved to New York in 2013 following the crusade on Nebulos.

But like so many other things in life, nothing is perfect.  Overcrowding created slum areas and often times 'undesirables' would nest in the slums and prey on the weak and helpless.  As always, the Autobots took up the responsibility and have partnered with those cities struck most with rampant crime, dealing mostly with extra-terrestrial invaders, and leaving Human criminals to their own kind.

WEST

Unlike much of the rest of Central City, the western section offers little in the way of history-with the exceptions of Astrotrain's historical harassment when he and Blitzwing tried their coup against Megatron.  For the most part, western Central City is the quieter side, offering clean neighborhoods, several parks (owned and maintained by Hybrid Technologies Corporation, (Hy-Tech) under the direction of their chairman, Astoria Carlton-Ritz ) and generous view of the skyline at night (which is why Chafferson Observatory is located in that direction) and of course, the train station.