I love the special events and the challenge of the timed goals. While the housing highrise prizes have been well done, the grand prizes don't seem as grand in comparison in terms of the reward (the designs are not a problem). We have so many extra ways to add population, in fact, I always meet the population requirement to upgrade to the next level before I have the business mastery stars. I think a great way to make the grand prizes a bigger deal would be to make those buildings add population and mastery stars. So far, those prizes are buildings that realistically do bring in money and people, so it makes sense. Plus, since the prizes just go in storage, it appears they do not need to be classified as one or the other.
Thanks! I love how this game mixes so much of what I love from the other S8 games!