The Millenium Gate was a tall structure built on Earth in the early 21st century. It was one kilometer tall, and was constructed in Portage Creek, Indiana, United States of America. It was the first self-sustaining civic environment on the planet. It was covered in solar panels, and contained its own ecosystem with over 600 stores. The Millenium Gate would eventually be the inspiration for the first colony built on Mars.
Portage Creek city administrators had offered free building permits, and deferred local taxes -- as well as promising new roads for the project. This enticed the Texas corporation funding the project to choose that city -- sending Gerald Moss as their representative and spokesperson. Local residents were offered 20% above market value for their properties that needed -- but if even one resident refused to sell, the project would be relocated to Canton, Ohio.
.jpg){kind=link}
Most of the citizens of Portage Creek were excited to have their little city be home to such an important project. A handful, however, were greatly opposed. The opposition mostly believed that the project was being overhyped and that it would ultimately turn out to be nothing more than a shopping mall. One of these opponents was Henry Janeway, who owned a bookstore that he would have needed to sell. He was the last holdout -- but ultimately, he was convinced to allow the project to move forward on the last possible day: December 31, 2000 CE. On January 1, 2001 CE construction on the project began. Construction was completed in 2012 CE.
Source[]
The Millenium Gate is derived from Star Trek: Voyager.