Covington - Update 61 "Chestnut Hills and South River Bend"

[thundercrack83]

Hi, Jon!

Just got caught up on the last update, my friend. Wonderful work, as always! Your neighborhoods are always magnificent, and the area around the school is great, too! It's always great to see what you have done here!

And the latest newspaper entry is stunning, as well! The story is very well-written and the picture looks great, too!

Excellent work here, as always, my friend! I'll be looking forward to more!

Dustin

[Jmouse]

You do a great job on your newspapers, Jon. Need a staff writer?

As always, looking forward to enjoying some more rural scenery...
Joan

[Lilojame]

Hi Jon, my friend!
Another interesting reading there! I even spotted a flaw in there and with that said it became a real newspapers and with that even better! I have to agree, that bringing up to the date that kind of building would be a monster-job but since there were a lot of buildings here renovated for different purposes I have much faith that the Covington Leadership can do it!

And as a response to your response (to my response  ) I have to say that in past 18 years same was happening here and actually still is since the highway projects are not entirely finished yet (I believe that due to incompetent project leaders). I regard myself as being lucky since there are no plans to build a highway in my backyard (or more precisely, back garden and sideyard  ) but on other hand I do have a "main" street just around 4 meters from the main doors and at the back, just 2 meters from the garden a rail tracks (not to mention an air line over the roof  ) and it is annoying but besides moving (which I don't want (been here for 5 years less than my entire life) ) there is nothing I could do. Anyhow, it is a the cost of the progress... I guess...

I will be waiting to see more!

Have great time,
Karin

[flyinbird93]

nice landmark, you should provide a shot after its reopened

[JBSimio]

Arthur:  Thank you very much, my friend!

Dustin:  Thanks!  I'm glad you liked everything.  I've quickly discovered that the "newspaper bit" is a fun way for me to present teasers.  It seems to give the one picture update a little something extra in my mind. 

Joan:  Thank you!  I'm sure there is always room at JBSimio, Inc. for someone in public relations if you're interested.    I'm sorry, there won't be much in the way of rural scenery today, but I'll definitely be doing some of those again soon.

Karin:  Which flaw did I miss?    (besides that stupid color issue...)  I've been fortunate enough to live in some very out of the way places over the last few years.  The only things I have to worry about in my yard are trees and deer... and maybe the occasional mountain lion, I'm told.  Thank you, as always, for stopping by!

Flyinbird:  Thanks... Mattb actually made this one.  But since you wanted the second half of a "before and after"... 

Update Time!!!

So ten months have passed already, and the Eagle Hill Sanitarium was in fact converted into Covinton's fourth major hospital!  (And there was much rejoicing...)  I thought we'd take a quick drive over there and see how things turned out.  Don't worry, I'll drive...

24.1


Being in Wheaton Hills as we are, I suppose the easiest way to get over there would be to follow High Point Road until it curves east and becomes Lee Street.  Here's a little map if you'd like to follow along.  (I got a little label happy last night... not sure what happened there, but what can you do?)  The map also shows where three of the four hospitals are located.  Judith Cameron is where we're headed... more on the name change later.

24.2


Hmmm... you seem to have dozed off there for a few minutes.  We've already gone past downtown and the old industry buildings and we're just about through Indian Village now.  It looks as though there has been a bit of an arson spree here recently.  It's really a shame to see those old brownstones just wasting away like that, don't you think?  Actually, you just missed a newer tenament building off to the north a few blocks back.  Sorry about that, but I'm sure we'll get a chance to see it again later.

24.3


You can tell we've left the roughest part of the neighborhood, huh?  These shops all seem to be doing quite well... and they don't even look like they're about to collapse!  Would you care for a Slurpee before we continue to much further?  Sounds good... I'm just going to get some gas right quick while we're here.  Oh wow!  I didn't even notice that office building on the corner there.  I wonder when they put that up.  Anyway... let me just run inside and pay for this and then we can get going again.

24.4


So, here we are... Judith Cameron Memorial Hospital.  It looks like they did a really nice job with it, don't you think?  I agree, the landscaping is incredible.  What's that?  Well, the new hospital is named after that woman that killed herself right before the place closed.  Right... sorry... allegedly killed herself.  Actually, some lady wrote a book based on that very incident.  No, I can't remember her name now, but I read it a couple months back.  In the book version... which I should mention is mostly fiction based on the true story here... it turns out that the woman was actually murdered and the killer was back and stalking the daughter along with a bunch of other people connected to the events of the past.  Pretty good read, actually.  Anyway, I haven't been out on this side of town for a while, so do you mind if we just cruise around a bit more just to look?

24.5


Well these are new.  This used to be another one of those neighborhoods that got disected when the interstate came through.  That's I-40 right over there.  I guess this side of town just hasn't fared as well as where we were earlier.  Oh yeah, they're not bad apartments at all.  I'm just saying that they're nothing compared to the houses that used to be here.

24.6


Oh look... here's some more of them.  I suppose they used a different color so people wouldn't notice they're all the same building, huh?  Actually, I seem to remember seeing something in the news about all these new "low cost" apartments going up in anticipation of the many support staff that the new hospital would require.  I guess I was just expecting a few scattered buildings here and there.  I had no idea there would be a whole bunch of complexes like this.  Maybe the area is making a bit of a comeback after all.  I'll have to keep an eye out and see what happens.  I know, it's getting a little late, I'm sorry I keep wandering all over the place.  You're right, we should probably start heading back.

24.7


One last look before we take off?  Sure, no problem... I'm kind of interested to see the view from on top of the hill anyway.  Too bad the main building is in the way or this would probably be a great view of the river from up here.  Oh well... we'll see that another time too, I'm sure.

24.8


Let's just stop for a coffee before we jump on I-40 and head back, what do you say?  Oh... you don't drink coffee either?  That's alright... I was really after the donuts anyway.  Geez... look at all the cops here!  No wonder people keep lighting Indian Village on fire!  Oh... hi Grandpa...

24.9


Thanks for reading!!!
JB

[paroch]

Hey Jon,

I don't drop in for a few days and BAM, I'm three updates behind.  Now that will teach me!

Great work here, loving the newspaper articles and sorry to hear you were a bit dicky (great English expression hey!!??), must have been tooooo much of that wine!

Covington's growth is always interesting to follow and you're doing us proud again, with stories of old hospitals.

As the city's boundary exapnds I can't help but wonder what is going to fill the gap between city limit and farms - hmmm, guess I'll just have to wait and see!

All the best,

Paul

[nerdly_dood]

Those burned-out buildings and the apartment buildings are amazing! I haven't ever seen them before, so knowing what you've made i must assume you made them... They definitely complement Covington nicely.

[bakerton]

First time posting, but I read through all 20 pages and I must say what a wonderful job you have taken. Question though, Where did you get the "Judith Cameron Memorial Hospital" from and what is the lots' actual name? Keep it coming. JKB

[Pat]

mmmmm gotta make the donuts..

http://www.youtube.com/v/u1JnypJUsgM&hl=en&fs=1

OK so its not Dukin but its Krispy lol.... Jon great last few updates here!!!!

[Jmouse]

First, map labels are most welcome, so stay "happy" by all means!

OK, I'm awake now! The slums are ...ummm... a sad fact of life, but the little shops look very nice, and here's five bucks toward the gas. The new hospital looks grand - excellent use of that beautiful BAT, and the surroundings look great. What is that building with the smoke stack in the right-center of 24.4?

Love the apartments in 24.5 and .6, and of course the donut shop is great - love the night shots. The overview is filling up, but I'm glad to see there's quite a bit of space left to build on!

You're doing a wonderful job in OSITM...
Joan

[Lilojame]

Hi!
Yet another wonderful update produced by you, my friend! I love every single picture there but I also have to say, that whilst drinking my morning tea and having a croissant for breakfast (7 am here) reading the narration under the pictures was really great. Loved it!
As for the flaw, there was a typo somewhere in there but I cant find it now. Maybe was just the spirit of the dead lady that was messing with my eyes....

Have fun and see you around!
Karin

[art128]

  Another splendid update Jon, splendid part of the city 
You do a great work here my friend, and once again, awesome region shot ! 
Arthur

[bat]

Your newspaper on the previous page is looking nice!
And wonderful new update there, too! Great work on all pictures...

[payce2tw]

Too funny about Grandpa at the donut shop!

[EDGE4194]

whew- jon i can barely keep up with you  fantastic updates, cool newpaper article, and nice tour.   

[flyinbird93]

great update, i really enjoyed the story.  some ruff neck of the woods, next time keep me on the interestate :p  I really like your transit map too.  looks very realistic.

[mjj55409]

I've been lurking in Covington for awhile. It's a very inspirational MD. Great job.

Those apartment buildings in pic #5. Are they new bats of yours? Available anywhere? They are quite awesome.

Cheers,
Michael

[rooker1]

Great update Jon.
I love the way you set up your transportation networks.   At a distance they look awsome but up close not so much.  But I guess you have to weigh waht is more inportant and just go with that.
I do however see some very intesting stuff in 24.5 and 24.6.  
See you around soon,
Robin   

[Haljackey]

...That is one sweet region view!   

I've been watching Covington for quite a while, but I'm not sure why I haven't commented yet.  What better time to break the ice than during OSITM?  Keep up the great work Jon!

Best,
-Haljackey

[JBSimio]

Paul:  Thank you!  That really is a great phrase... although I have a feeling it would mean something completely different over here.  And just because I live in wine country now doesn't mean I've developed a taste for the stuff!    I'm still not entirely sure how I'll transition from the city back into the farms either, so I guess we'll just have to see what happens.

Nerdly_dood:  Thanks!  The burned out buildings are actually part of the SHUR Brownstone Set.  The other apartments are indeed also mine and haven't been released quite yet... but they're coming.  Glad you like them!

Bakerton:  Thank you and welcome to Covington!  The actual name of the hospital is Taunton State Hospital made by Mattb325.  Judy Cameron is actually the vice president of the company that "downsized me" last spring... so I decided to make her a mental patient and name a hospital after her...

Pat:  Thanks!  Krispy Kreme... good stuff! 

Joan:  Thank you!  I knew you would be one of the people who wouldn't mind a few extra labels.  I really liked that hospital a lot and spent a fair amount of time trying to find a way to incorporate it into Covington.  The lot is strictly as downloaded, so I can't take any credit for the layout at all.  I just plopped in on a hill top.  I'd have to check LE to be certain, but I think the building you're referring to is actually the boiler prop from the Maxis university.  The overview is beginning to fill in, but that won't mean we're anywhere near done here!

Karin:  Thank you!  I thought I'd try a slightly different approach to the narration for that last update.  As I was writing, it just sort of developed into a conversation between myself and whoever else was in the car with me.  I'll try to keep the dead lady under control and have her stop bothering you! 

Arthur:  Thank you, my friend!

Bat:  Thanks!  Glad you liked it!

Mom:  I knew you'd get a kick out of that one...

Edge:  Thank you!

Flyinbird:  Thanks!  Keeping you on the interstate just would have taken us past the north side of the same neighborhood... so it wouldn't have really made a difference anyway...

Michael:  Thank you and welcome to Covington!  Those apartments aren't what I'd call new anymore... but they are finally nearing the point where I'll be releasing them soon.  (I made them a while ago and then forgot about them, lost them, and generally did a terrible job keeping track of them)  They're not available yet, but you'll be able to find them on the LEX when they are.

Robin:  Thank you!  Yes... the trade off on the roads can be very noticable in some places, but I made my peace with it long ago.  People keep mentioning those two pictures... I don't understand it...   

Haljackey:  Thank you and welcome!  Hope to see you again!

Just a small news item today, I'm afraid... a proper update will follow tomorrow.

Thanks for reading!
JB