Reviving this topic for a bit...

It occurs to me that, if a semi-gritty city area with higher-level challenges is what one wants, eastern Millennium City would just about fit the bill,

Besides MCPD people, contacts can include Nighthawk and the rest of Project Mongoose, along with Nightwind and possibly members of the Millennium City Eight (from Digital Hero #13).

The Neighborhoods and some of their spots and actvities (per the 2002 book):

Rivertown - This includes the MC Sports Complex, DOSPA, MacArthur Bridge, and an industrial "rough area." Likely the base for Project Mongoose, and thus for VIPER activity in the Zone; ARGENT and "respectable businessman" Matthew Cresse could also be active here. The Sports Complex would be a good place for massive terrorist actions for villains ranging from Hunter-Patriots to Foxbat (as well as Nemeses), while any superhero should have the opportunity to rescue a school bus full of children from falling off a bridge.

Cultural Center - This is the "planned community" of ethnic neighborhoods, and the home of Nightwind. Activity here would include yakuza and Organizatsiya, as well as Cult of the Red Banner (possibly with some Shamballah Vampires to keep it spicy) and some of Cresse's activities. The Sovereign Sons could be recruiting in the Jamaican district. This area also includes the MC Opera House, which would be a good location for a Nemesis Mission.

Theater District - Besides the Broadway-styled Adair, Hansberry, and Imperial playhouses (and several smaller ones), this also includes the Gold Nugget and Promised Land Casinos, and Millennium City University. (The Promised Land is a VIPER money-laundering front.) Foxbat, GRAB, Entropy, the Brain Trust, and various other villains with financial and/or publicity motivations could be active here.

Belle Island - Though small in terms of map space, this area includes the MC Yacht Club as well as the Planetarium, Aquarium, and Science Center. Each of these places has opportunities for superhero adventure; the Science Center in particular can be a hub for alien artifacts (making it a likely target for "Ludwig" and the Black Aces). The wooded deer run could be home to some expatriate Hunter-Patriots and/or Thorn. If desired, this could be where the crafting tables, Powerhouse, Tailors, Bank, and Auction House are located for the Zone.

I'd love to see that part of MC implemented, especially if it would offer an alternative to Monster Island/Lemuria.

In my opinion, the level range should start from 23 to 32. Unless someone can convince me why not of course.

That would be my preference for MC East as well, actually. A Moon Zone would make more sense for the L40+ content that's being discussed.

Heck, I'd be happy enough to see a natural progression from Downtown MC into MC East, starting at Belle Isle.

But it's looking like the devs have all but settled on "Semi-Gritty City" for new L40+ stuff.

Sounds really good for a future expansion, but I doubt that MC East will be the new city zone. They said it's going to be a high level zone and it wouldn't make much sense if the criminals just on the other side of the Detroit River were that much stronger. So I guess the new zone is going to be rather far away from MC.

Hmmmm, maybe borrow a thing from Vibora Bay. Maybe the criminals on the other side somehow got stronger via mutation/science/alien stuff or something else? They could also receive new and powerful toys to use against heroes.

I actually imagine that some sort of crisis for MC East could explain the changes.

That might make sense. But... whould you really want to level up to 40 before being allowed to cross the river? ^^°
MC East is technically just a cat's leap away from where we start the the game. So why waiting so long to get there?

Hmm. That reminds of the idea I brought up for the Neo-Tokio zone: Making it an alternative zone to Lemuria, with the same levels for missions and enemies and the same requirements to get there (finishing Rhinoplasty, in that case).
MC East could be an alternative zone to the Desert, so you could get there after finishing The Westside Intrigue Culmination. ;)

Across the river is Wndsor, Ontario;technically, we're crossing the river when we go to the Crisis in canada.

But yes, what you say is yet another reason to keep the Missions in MC East near the mid-range.

Well, hate to burst your bubble, it's pretty much already been stated it will be a 40 to 45 type area. There is already more than enough content filling the 23 to 32 range. We need more for endgamers now.

Now, I wouldn't mind MC itself being expanded, but the semi-gritty. The 23 level range is pretty much filled out, now, with Vibora Bay, Canada and Monster Island as well as Lemuria.

How about starting in the mid-30s? You know, like right non top of the Downtown Missions?