What ever we do, I think there should be plots for sale around the spawn, that way it isn't 1st come 1st serve for people that want to build near it. Also i think that all plots within a 50 block radius or so should be small player owned shops, with wide, nice streets running between them.
Here's Why:
We want spawn to be a place where people frequent, putting a lot of player owned shops there would make it a more active place. Selling house plots near spawn just makes a bunch of inaccessible big buildings all around. Spawn should be the center of activity in the world and it should be HIGHLY regulated by the admins. IE.
What spawns should have:
- No Death trap holes
- Wide, well lit streets
- Nice shops with reasonable prices so people frequent the area
- Newbie friendly environment
- Free Melons
- A VIEW
I cannot emphasize that last point enough. Spawns should be located at least 10-15 blocks in the air with no extremely large outstanding structures, almost like a pedestal. People want an amazing first experience when they join a server and if they don't get it they will find another one. I think these thinks recommendations would make it so.
Also why is this a one person thing?
This should be done in the same way mob arenas are done. Competition.
Here is what I would do:
Create a superflat world where "the dropper" was have 100x100 areas available for whoever wants them. Run a spawn creation contest that last between 2 weeks and 1 month. Post pictures of all the spawns after that time. Vote on the forums for the best one.
This world could be deleted after the competition and wouldn't waste and space in creative or elsewhere.
One a side note, anybody else think my ideas make the admins' lives hard? lol