Holt: One Year Later

[sim_link]

Thanks for putting up with the sporadic activity here recently!
RL has been hitting me hard the past few months. School has been crazy busy and other things have been falling on me like a bag of bricks. Things have let up enough though that Holt District full updates will finally be returning - and I'm not talking just teasers. Full updates are finally on their way back! Finals these past 2 weeks and the midterms saga at school have limited my time in SimCity to 0 hours, so I have a few things to do before getting an update out. But they're coming, and this is your notice that they are. So thanks to all of you for being patient with me, but RL has been a tad crazy. I'm super excited to get back to updating and to showing of Holt District to all of you again!

[vortext]

RL is more important so don't sweat it. In fact, due to RL I hadn't even seen the night pictures yet, go figure! 

Looks great, hope the finals went over well! 

[noahclem]

Glad to hear HD is returning soon! Hope all the school stuff went well 

[sim_link]

Holt Stadium Project

I'm baaaaaaaaaack!
After a long absence these past 3 months (I think there were only 2 full updates) things are finally returning to normal-ish for me (for now anyways ) so I finally have a new update to share! Today's update focuses on the new Holt Stadium project being constructed in Flynn, the former Township of Saltfield. Part of BoldNewHD, this project includes a brand new stadium, transit line to Kuhan and Sherkston and some new office space. In the future there will also be residential development. A lot is happening in the area, and several new projects are heard to be in the planning process. So let's go have a look and see what's happening in Holt District after an update drought.






22.1 | The new stadium area is polluted with cranes. With so many things under construction residents now enjoy "count the cranes" more than monopoly. You never know when a new one will crop up. This photo displays where the arena will eventually site. The arena itself will seat 50000 in various configurations. There is rumoured to be a football (ed. note: Canadian Football) franchise to opening up shop in the region, with this likely being its new home. There is also a rumour the arena will be convertible to hockey, though no official word on a franchise locating to the region yet. Rumours do point to one being housed in the Toyota Centre or Spengler Arena in Sherkston...






22.2 | Just to the north is a dual-tower office complex under construction. Someone had the hair-brained idea of doing the landscaping prior to building completion. Needless to say the walkways will need replacing by the finishing of construction.






22.3 | Over this way we find the home of more future office building. These will be medium-rise buildings. The developer of this complex is currently designing the next phases which will fill much of the grasslands around this section of the development.






22.4 | Here we see the construction of the future Embassy Suites hotel and parking garages for the arena and office buildings. To the left construction on the arena station will begin soon, once construction on the arena progresses a little further.






22.5 | With all this change on the horizon some people will undoubtedly be unhappy. Several residents of Flynn near the development are unhappy with the dust and noise of construction and the traffic the complex will bring once it begins to open. But change isn't easy to swallow for more people, and there is more on the horizon for these people.






22.6 | To the south of the arena a proposal has been approved, by Flynn town council and under BoldNewHD, for a new mega-regional shopping centre. Some residents, of course, were up in arms about this decision. However there is a chronic lack of retail in the region as it has not kept up with demand and residential development in recent time.






22.7 | And this arena project and mall are just the tip of the iceburg as it is. A zoomed out view of the arena construction gives you an idea of how little is currently underway. Sooner or later, all that land will be developed as mid to high density status. Change is coming, and some residents are unhappy. But, you take a risk when moving to Holt District. And that risk is your quiet neighbourhood will soon be neighbouting skyscrapers.






22.8| The change will continue, too. Holt District council, in association with Sherkston, Kuhan, Flynn and Manatee municipal councils have approved an intensification development zone. This zone encompasses the outer edges of the current municipalities, with key developments already in planning or underway making up the boundaries of this zone. This zone will be only allowed to develop as mid to high density construction going forward, with an emphasis of "cove" developments, with each "cove" being surrounded by new, man-made lakes and lush vegetation. Developers are drooling at the thought... this land is very much in demand and this planning amendment has opened up new, affordable and attractive development styles.








M4346
Thanks, I love census time, too. A great chance to show off the region as a whole. I hope you enjoyed this long-delayed update!

nbvc
Thanks - I haven't had much luck with amusement parks in the past. This one went better than expected.

vortex
Yea, it absolutely is. But it's definitely nice to be back to updating!

noahclem
Hope you enjoyed its return - it took long enough on my part. School stuff did go well, with marks slowly rolling in. So far so good, but time will tell how everything else went!

[RickD]

Lots of construction going on. Now I want to see it finished. 

[art128]

Looking forward to see the constructions finished!

[sim_link]

Manatee Rebuilding

After a damaging tornado, parts of Manatee are finally recovering. After being embroiled in a scandal, many rebuilding projects were delayed but have since gotten back on track. Some however, remained delayed. Some residents have finally started rebuilding their lives, thanks to the Government of Orchidsen getting involved in the insurance scandal. Today we take a look back to the destruction and where some of the rebuilding projects stand today, and how the community was affected.






23.1 | A strip-mall  of big-boxes once stood here. After the tornado only Dick's Sporting Goods remained. The store, which required only minor repairs, opened 2 weeks after the tornado, only to liquidate. The owner of the land eventually bought out their lease. Stores on either side were destroyed.






23.2 | This residential area was greatly affected by the twister with a large swath of houses being destoyed. The tornado delayed the road extension to Norecount project, one estimated to reduce congestion on other arterial roads and within the residential neighbourhood.






23.3 | An industrial park was destroyed as well, this one housing several high-tech industries and manufacturers. The lush forest in the area were uprooted. Condos were destroyed, with the neighbouring buildings that weren't flattened later condemned.






23.4 | Today, though, rebuilding has started. Houses are under construction. The first phase of the Norecount avenue extension has also been completed, though sounds walls, landscaping and another project are to come.






23.5 | A closeup of the reconstruction. Houses are at varying stages, with many sharing a common design. Several developers have offered their services for discounted rates, with designs similar to houses which once stood.






23.6 | What this image shows is something that continues to startle residents. While some houses sate perfectly fine, ones just metres away were destroyed and are now being rebuilt.






23.7 | And to finish off: X... marks the spot? But what does it mark, exactly? Do my earlier tweets (@HoltDistrict) have anything to do with it?









RickD
We'll likely see that in a few updates completed. But more construction is coming.

art128
Hope you can wait a little longer!

[sim_link]

The evolution of Holt District is taking another step forward today, with the announcement the region will begin rolling out a new LRT system. The new system is part of the BoldNewHD transit segment of initiatives. This segment is meant to improve traffic flow throughout the region. Today's presentation outlines a few key features of the new system and some of the steps it will be taking in improving regional transit as a whole. The new system will, when completed, span the entire region. Using a mix of urban, suburban and rural lines in addition to road-top and non-road-top lines, the system will begin as a new piece of the transit puzzle in Holt District. It will also be phasing out the EL-Rail system, gradually replacing that particular system. The region expects this to be a viable alternative to the automobile when used in tandem with planned bus service expansions.





Neighbourhood stations will icrease the access to transit in residential areas and increase the easibility to traverse the entire region.







Road-top routing will allow transit lines to get closer to your final destination and increase the areas served without consuming valuable real-estate in urban areas.







The new LRT system will replace the existing EL-rail system. In most cases the LRT system will take the existing footprint, but in some cases the system will take the closest available road-top routing in urban areas and where practical.




That's it for today's announcement about the Holt District LRT system. We will definitely be seeing more LRT construction as time goes on.

[benedict]

I'm a big transit fan, so looking forward to seeing more on that. Also, not sure I've mentioned this anywhere, but I do like the branding you create for HD.

[Piterdaw1]

Nice pics. Like benedict I am transit fan, so I'm waiting for more

[samerton]

Looking forward to seeing more

[sim_link]

"WINDS OF CHANGE"



MANATEE IS UP NEXT FOR A BIG CHANGE...

[vortext]

Seems promising, can't wait to see it completed! Transit plans are equally impressive, keep it up! 

[sim_link]

LRT TAKES SHAPE

Beginning in the City of Manatee, the new Holt District LRT system is beginning to take shape. Its inaugural line is well under construction, with track laid and now station construction beginning to take shape. Although not earth-shatteringly long, this is the beginning of what will eventually become a region-wide, massive transit system. It will get closer to residents than any other type of transit before it in the region, perhaps besides busses of course. We also see the beginning of the transformation of the EL-Rail system in Holt District to the LRT system. A small segment in Manatee will be the start, connecting the new LRT line to the existing EL-Rail system. So let's get moving (pun not intended ) and see what's taking shape where!






24.1 | We start our update on the edge of Manatee, bordering Norecount. While one day the LRT will extend to Norcount (along with the completion of the new 4-lane road) for phase 1 of this first line it ends here.






24.2 | Moving north towards Downtown Manatee we reach this familiar scene. In our last full update, where "X" marks the spot, a station is now under construction. This will open transit to one of the most poorly-accessible areas in the region. This area has often lagged due to poor road infrastructure. Now a new LRT line and large avenue service the area.






24.3 | As we creep ever closer to Downtown, we reach the first major intersection this line encounters. Here we see the line snake to what was the once landscaped median of this avenue, right before a large shopping centre. Due to space constraints the LRT moves to roadtop here. No stations are yet present, but will be soon along this stretch.






24.4 | Traffic is getting used to the lanes being slightly more offset to the edge of the roadway. Although no LRT trains yet run through here, so it should be interesting for the first while as people get used to the LRT running between directions of traffic. A station will likely make its way here. For road-top stations the stations are being trucked in pieces and will be assembled on site. Think flat-pack Ikea furniture. Though the directions will be a bit more clear.






24.5 | The scene many of you are probably waiting for, the area around Shorerock Shopping Centre. This scene is the future station and station+mall parking. All offices and houses formerly on this site have been demolished and the 2 massive parking garages have just started construction. The roadway through the station can be seen as well. The small crane by the track is working on the station platforms itself. We once again see the track curve off the road.






24.6 | The first segment of mall parking lot has been torn up, creating a bit of a confusing maze in the parking lot. Large blue panels keep motorists from going where they shouldn't be. This particular area will eventually be a pedestrian bridge over the road so people can easily get from parking garage to the mall. The area currently torn up will be turned to a walkway with possible landscaping.






24.7 | Looking at the tracks a little more in detail, you will notice they go underground. Because of the busy nature of this road, transit planners decided it would be best to have the LRT go underground while travelling East (left) towards the shore and the eastern EL-Rail Line, which will partially be converted to LRT in this phase. Motorists applaud this decision, and transit riders are happy this connection was cancelled alltogether, which was a potential option.






24.8 | While the LRT still runs underground at this point, it doesn't mean this large office building and surrounding residential community won't be able to access the system easily. Although close to the Shorerock LRT Station, it was decided to have a large station in this area because of the many people who work in the office building, which suffers from a chronic lack of available parking. Since many of the people who work in the building will live along the LRT system at some point in the mid-term future, a station was easily approved. A local architecture student won the design contest help for the street-level design of the station.






24.9 | Further east we once again see where the tracks will come back above ground. The tracks haven't been laid here yet, but you can see where they soon will be. The EL-Rail line in this vicinity will be converted to LRT during this phase of expansion, though not the line's entire length through Manatee. Just enough for the junction and larger, relocated station.






24.10 | For the final picture today you see the site of the future LRT station in the area. It will be replacing the station next to Save-On-Foods. A building was purchased and demolished for a new entrance off the main road. It will be a signalized entrance. The 3 houses abutting the future ground-level line have been offered by the region to have their houses and land purchased. The purchase is conditional on all 3 accepting. The region wishes to install sound walls, and also feels these homeowners won't like a ground level-trail passing directly next to them. So far 1 has accepted, with the other 2 still mulling the offer over...








Benedict
Hope you enjoyed today's update, then! The LRT system story will make itself into many updates, even ones not focusing on it directly. Also glad you like the branding! I enjoy doing that sort of thing, so it makes its way here a lot.

Piterdaw1
Hope you like these! It's the first time I'm planning to extensively use transit publicly, and the first time in a long time I've used a major transit system at all in SC. Also the first time I'm using GLR!

Samerton
Hope you enjoyed!

vortex
Thanks! You see it starting off today, and it'll be much further along next update for sure!

[Swordmaster]

Good couple of updates. You're good with layouts, both in SC4 and with your banners and stuff.

One thing I noticed: in 24.8, the turn lane starts abruptly. There should be a piece you can place at the start. Nitpicking, I know


Cheers
Willy

[sc-4]

I've just read your whole MD and the only thing i can say is : Amazing Work !

[sim_link]

CONSTRUCTION & TRANSIT IN MANATEE

If you've been following updates recently you'll know that Holt District is in the process of building a new, state-of-the-art LRT system. Including new lines and the existing EL-RAIL system, the vision is to not only serve as transport along major corridors, but have secondary/feeder lines into the majour neighbourhoods all over the region. Today's update takes the tour of the first completed line: In Manatee. We're also going to see some construction along the line's main station, mainly the redevelopment of a portion of the Shorerock Shopping Centre's western parking lots. So let's get a move on and into the update!





25.1 | We begin in South Manatee, where the line nears the border with Norecount. This station, located in the heart of the area that was devastated by the Manatee Tornado, is now open. This early in the morning it doesn't see much activity, with a mostly empty parking lot. The station is gaining traction in the weeks after officially opening to riders.






25.2 | The area hit hard by the tornado is recovering very nicely, with many new homes completed and others well under construction. As part of the LRT line and avenue extension projects, sound walls and treescapes were installed/planted here. It adds a nice touch, perhaps better than backing onto a grass strip.






25.3 | As we move north to downtown we come accross the first in-road station, right by Lowe's and Pine Place Centre, both popular destinations. This also serves residents nearby, and to those working at the HD Police station in the bottom right of this image.






25.4 | On the outer limits of downtown we come accross another station, this one directly in front a large and busy office complexe. This also currently servers as one of two downtown stations, although they're not in the heart of downtown.






25.5 | We now reach the line's main station, across from Shorerock Shopping Centre. The station, which features 2 large parking garages (which also allow mall parking) has a large glass-covered platform. This station also marks where the line begins travelling underground for a short distance. You can also see parking lot redevelopment at the mall from here.






25.6 | The station is nicely landscaped to help break up the large mass of parking garage that's now gracing the landscape. This station is often quite busy, usually the busiest on the line because of its location in the centre of the line, close to the mall, offices, schools and residences. The regional school board is contemplating a switch to LRT transit for some students once the lines pass closer to schools. This would help reduce bussing expenses and redirect funds to educational programs.






25.7 | The first of 2 west-side parking lots have been ripped and have begun being redeveloped at Shorerock. The parking lots will house new office and residential towers and additional retail space. Construction has just begun, so there is still a fair amount to do.






25.8 | With another view of the construction you can notice the now-open pedestrian walkway to the mall. The original plan called for a bridge, but the designer did not account for the train platform in their design, and as such a light was installed instead. The walkway materials will be used on another project. This sometimes causes traffic problems, but the lights have been re-synchronized in the area to ease this congestion.






25.9 | As we head east, towards the water, we reach where the LRT line comes back above ground and intersect with the former EL-RAIL line. Most of the line remains EL-RAIL, however a small portion was converted to LRT to allow integration of the new line with the el-rail system. The old station was demolised and moved north (down in this image) to a large locale.






25.10 | The new station features ample parking for the surrounding areas, and occupies formerly empty land. A building was demolished to allow entry from the main avenue in the area, however unlike the original plan the main entrance was located off the residential road, upgraded to include a signalled intersecion.






25.11 | As night falls, we head back west a litle to view the large under-ground station featuring a beautiful glass atrium. The design has been a hit with residents and has really changed the once dull intersection.






25.12 | As we finish this update, a view of downtown Manatee. This area may, one day, have an LRT line of its own running through it...








Swordmaster
Thanks! It's taken a while to get both down pat, getting the way I want things in SC4 and improving at update layouts and graphics for the banners. And thanks for pointing that out... I noticed it only after I published the update, of course.

sc-4
Wow - thanks for taking the time to read the entire thing! Glad you like it, and I hope you enjoyed this update as well!

[sc-4]

I liked this update too

What i like about this MD an this update , is that the whole thing is holding together in close to perfect realistic way , whatever it's the visual that are realistic or the stories you put around those great shots

[Swordmaster]

Great update. Love that last night shot!

Not to toot my own horn here, but to further your layout improvements, might I recommend you get rid of the minimize button?


Cheers
Willy

[sim_link]

SPRAWL MOVES OUTWARD


Taking a break from the game-changing LRT system, we're moving to one of the more rural areas of the region, part of the Town of Flynn. This small village had not seen a lot of change up until recently, that is until HDHIP resulted in a massive resulted in a highway running nearby. At first sprawl was concentrated along the highway ROW, but it is now moving in directly next to town. Today we capture a quick glimpse of what the area was like, and what some of the changes coming its way are...






26.1 | Many years ago, the rural area wasn't home to much. A few wind turbines, surprisingly large buildings in its downtown core, houses and a school. The area saw little change during the 90s and early 2000s, save for the wind turbines. The last major change were the construction of new buildings in the downtown area in the 80s.






26.2 | This small residential area is the main area for homes in the rural area, or at least was. A quiet area during the time of this photo, it was known for its frequent street parties and neighbourly atmosphere, with everyone largely knowing everyone.






26.3 | Some people were even lucky enough to be able to live near this body of water, a quiet area further back from the main road in town, and close enough to the perfect spot to go skating when the water occasionally froze over.






26.4 | It wasn't until this, Highway 82, that things began to change. Now with easy access things began to change, including the construction of this travel centre. An exit leads to the town, although it is not the main road through town. The highway began to bring a lot of traffic to the area which was once sleepy due to its distance from the developed portions of Holt District.






26.5 | Soon after the highway was constructed this industrial area popped up, thanks to cheap real estate since land in this area was, and still is, abundant. Plas are already underway to construct an expansion to this park.






26.6 | Just to the south (left in this and the above photo) this residential development popped up. It houses people from both the people who work in the industrial park nearby and again from people seeking cheaper real estate. Houses in this area are, for now, about 10-20% cheaper than comparable locations in the region - this discount not including houses like this in Sherkston and Manatee proper.






26.7 | However, residential development is now not just occurring on the outskirts and near the highway. The Town of Flynn recently approved a massive development that will eventually engulf the small village. Construction has already begun, as this photo shows.









sc-4
Glad you liked this update, too. Also glad you like the realism, it's something I strive for, glad the stories and photos work together to your liking.

Swordmaster
Thanks - I was just looking around that city at night for the first time in a while, and I just thought that look was too awesome not to show. And that may soon find its way into my updates... I've always hated that blasted thing.