As for Galaxy City and the thread - it still exists in game. Not just the Echo version of it. As was pointed out above, GM_Bot resides there and anyone with the right authorities, namely GMs or dev console users can visit it.
Why it was chosen? No clue, I think from a lore perspective it had something to do with Shivans and the 'Coming Storm.' I do wish Shivans were more developed as a faction in this game, perhaps that's a future thread that can be picked up by Homecoming.