If we could make mixed use lots with an appartment idea that would be even better.  Older big cities and even places way in the past (like Rome) are (or were) built as residential over retail.

So a nice 6 residence apartment over a bistro - as a sample of what could be done - Basement level is a subway station (maybe one day there will be a mod for this too) and classified as a community lot, first floor is the bistro (also a community lot) and the upper floors are two apartments to a level with the apartments and the welcome mats being treated as residential while the hallways are treated as community.

Is it likely to be pulled off by Eaxis?  Unfortunatly, its about as bloody likely as an ice cube staying frozen in a fire.

-alaric