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

[art128]

Jon, your city growin fast and faster ! It's always great to see its development. That last update is very nice my friend.

Take care,
-Arthur. 

[Battlecat]

Coming along nicely there!  You're so right about the pattern of development, with individual farms being broken up into suburbs.

[Haljackey]

Geesh you don't stop do you?  Awesome region view and map!  I also enjoyed the close ups.  Nice work!   

[bat]

Great work on these parts of your city!!!

[Jmouse]

Excellent update, Jon, and the annotated map is a great help. I always have the feeling I'm in a real place when I visit Covington - maybe that's because you treat it like a real place!

The new apartments look wonderful, more so because they're so close to what I'm used to seeing. 43.05 is worth staring at for quite a while. The details are all there but not overdone or cluttered. A career in commercial art left its mark on me - advertisers always wanted every square inch of the space they paid for to be filled, and it's been a difficult habit to break.

Of course, an update wouldn't be complete without some farmland. I'm a bit surprised to see fields swallowed by development, but that is the normal course of RL. We see it all the time but tend to enjoy the new-found conveniences and admire the pretty houses rather than mourn the loss of another farm I guess.

Later...
Joan

[thundercrack83]

Jon, Jon, Jon...I've been a way for far too long, my friend--I must apologize.

I see that things are business as usual here in Covington, though--the best neighborhoods around, amazing region views, outstanding farms--and lest we forget the maps! Your work is always an inspiration, Jon, and I promise to make it over here much more.

Take care, my friend!

Dustin

[danielcote]

Oh you made more buildings! and I love the gas station and mc donalds.

[JBSimio]

Geoff:  Thanks!  I'm pretty happy with how all the new apartments turned out.  Seeing them all over the place was really kind of the point... I wanted to recreate that rather bland suburban feel that so many of these complexes seem to have.

Nathaniel:  Thank you and welcome to Covington!  Yes... the trains are a bit short in these pictures.  I guess that's just because there isn't much else out in this area. 

Zack:  Thank you and another big southern welcome to you as well!  I don't know if North Carolina really looks like this, but it is definitely my inspiration and I hope I'm doing it some small sort of justice.  I really enjoy your MD and all the urban expansions that you show.  The fact that this MD became a rural showcase was more of a mistake than anything else.  Either way, I'm very please (and a bit humbled) that you like it!

Pablo:  Thank you so much!  I'll have to double check exactly which of the tree controllers I'm using.  I actually think that I may have changed it when I got the LEX-DVD... I've noticed that when updating my roads with FAR pieces that the trees I replant don't always match up with what used to be there.    I'm glad you like the new apartments.  Lord knows I spent far too long sitting on them!

Arthur:  Thank you!

Battlecat:  Thanks!  Unfortunately, it seems the farms always tend to suffer when it comes time for the city to grow.

Haljackey:  Thanks!  I guess I have kept myself fairly busy the last couple weeks...

Bat:  Thank you as always, my friend!

Joan:  Thank you!  I always try to view this as a real place.  Everything I do here goes through my own little mental filter that asks if this would actually happen or not.  I'll be the first to admit that I take some liberties here and there, but for the most part, I try to follow patterns similar to those which I have observed in real life.

Dustin:  Dustin!  Thank you so much for stopping by again... even if I did have to guilt you into it...   I've always appreciated your support here and it's great to hear the thoughts of a newly crowned master. 

Daniel:  Me?  Make more buildings?  That doesn't sound right at all...    Thanks for stopping in!  I thought that little corner was a nice example of how suburbia can creep in all ninja stealth like...

Well... this officially marks my 1000th post on this wonderful site that I like to call home.  There's really only one good way to reach that milestone, in my opinion.  That way is quite simply...

Update Time!!!

We're headed back up towards Redhawk Ridge today.  As you will see, the hills are alive with the sound of... um... construction?  Something like that...

44.01


Remember that huge school the city needed to build to keep up with the housing boom up on the north side?  Today we'll see just why they needed all that space.  The hills and even the valleys are blanketed with suburban development.  This overview just shows how much the area has grown as of late.

44.02


Ahhh... cul-de-sacs!  They're everywhere up here.  I still don't understand them myself... but people sure do seem to enjoy living on one!  In the background is a seemingly random apartment complex which is also just a big circle all to itself.  I think it's really all a big plot to force people to drive to their next door neighbor's house... or maybe people just don't want to see their neighbors?  Hmmm...

44.03


A closer look shows some of the elevation changes a little better.  Mildred, an 83 year old widow who lives in the older house with the palm tree out front, has been asked to sell her house several times by people who want to build something newer and nicer on the site.  She has consistently refused saying that she loves to sit at her window and watch the school busses and children across the street.  Most people walk away baffled, but I think she might have a pretty good point.  Where else would she find a view like the one she has now?

44.04


There must be a few other "hangers on" like Mildred left in Redhawk Ridge.  Every now and then, we still find the random small house that seems dwarfed by the surrounding McMansions.  The funny thing is that these are probably the only people who can afford their mortgages.  (But we probably shouldn't go into all that, should we?)

44.05


Oooh look!  Another cul-de-sac!  (The rest of the caption for this particular picture was rejected by the lawyers for reasons I have yet to figure out... sorry)

44.06


By now, you may be wondering what is spurring all this development.  Well... basically Cone Boulevard is turning into the shopping mecca of northern Covington.  The avenue is lined with stores of all shapes and sizes offering everything people could possibly need for the new home they just bought up here.  And if some people can't afford to buy a house, developers are happy to build apartments too.  Everybody wins really!

44.07


The intersection of Cone Boulevard and Summit Avenue is becoming a very busy spot.  Shops and restaurants fill every spot they can.  It's honestly amazing that the little taco place can even afford the lease on this corner anymore, but he seems to be hanging on pretty well.  They must have some really amazing burritos!  (By the way... this is probably a good place to point out that there is no such thing as a soft shell taco here.  In fact the owner of this establishment would argue that such a thing does not even exist.  Tacos come with hard shells... burritos come in flour tortillas.  I recommend you don't get the guy started... trust me on this one.)

44.08


Just beyond the intersection is another one of those apartment complexes along I-85.  The idea worked so well with the Sutter Ridge and Goober Terrace developments to the south that people just can't stop building these things!  This particular complex, known as Pheasant Run, offers very easy access to the expressway.  It also offers a $25 gift card to Applebee's for any new lease, although your application does need to be approved before you can actually get the card.

44.09


A closer look at Pheasant Run shows that they really try to take care of their residents.  They even added a nice open area for everyone's enjoyment.  It looks like the caretakers are falling behind on garbage collection though.  Perhaps I better call the managers and let them know.

44.10

It's just a not a Covington update without that anymore, is it?

Thanks for reading!!!
JB

[threestooges]

The development (and redevelopment) is progressing nicely. As for the cul-de-sac... I'd hate to get the lawyers involved, but I have to wonder what would be kept out (unless it's a comment about the sheer number of cul-de-sacs in which case, I can only imagine). I like the apartments too. I personally prefer a bit of land, but you make those things look good. Do you have a secret for getting them to grow so well? I tried to get a few (the 4x2 Stratton I believe it was, and a few 3x2s) in an area that was at least supporting apartments at that point. Is there a trick to getting them going? I got a few, but not where I had hoped. Nice update. Also is that burrito story something derived from a RL experience? Also, congratulations on the 1000th post.
-Matt

[bat]

Wonderful work on that city! The overview looks beautiful! Great work on it! And looking forward to more from Covington!

[Battlecat]

That's quite the batch of subdivisions there, it's all looking fantastic.  I love the diversity of homes in that area. 

I think the main idea behind Cul-de-sacs was to create dead end streets that larger trucks and vehicles could turn around without too much trouble.  That way you don't need to create a full grid where drivers can speed/shortcut through residential neighbourhoods, instead you can have dead end roads with cul-de-sacs that feed into arterial roads. 

[rooker1]

Jon,

It's always a pleasure to come and visit your eyecandy of an MD.  With your curvy transprtation networks and you uncanny knack for biulding your city around it always amazes me. I wish I could find half your patience for doing this.

Robin 

[danielcote]

Great job on the new appartments I also like the old ones you've recently uploaded thanks! I've always liked appartments and coach homes they always make me feel cozy. I'm actualy intrested in living in one of those so please tell me out of these places ...











Wich ones are bigger from biggest to smallest.

wich one has a better kitchen from best to least.

how many bedrooms and baths each one has in a list.

how much each one costs.

please and thank you.

[Jmouse]

First of all, congratulations on achieving more than 1,000 posts, Jon. When I reached that milestone, everybody just said I talk too much!

You really know how to preserve the small-town flavor even in the slightly larger towns and neighborhoods. Redhawk Ridge is a classic example of the eclectic charm I associate with the deep South - apartment buildings blended with a variety of stately homes and a few "Mildreds" thrown in for good measure!

Although I've never been a fan of apartment complexes, Pheasant Run (44.08)would be a prime choice should the need ever arise. Your choice of location is flawless, BTW. It makes perfect sense to have it next to main thoroughfares. There is much to be seen, appreciated and learned in Covington.

Later...
Joan

[thundercrack83]

Look at those neighborhoods! I'm at a loss, Jon! Just at a loss.

One of my favorite things to do is come up with what I think of as "fabricated chaos"--where things look random, but they were created to look that way. I'm not sure if that's what you were going for with the residential areas, but that's what it reminds me of, and it looks absolutely fantastic, my friend. The winding roads and the culs-de-sac (not cul-de-sacs!), everything just looks stunning!

I'll definitely be back to see what you have for us next, my friend!

Take care!

Dustin

[Glowbal]

I'm in love with that last picture. 

[sandokan]

This is excellent. Just excellent. More than an inspiration. I'm not playing SC4 very much, but when I do, I play Covington style (or at least I try...  )

I really think you mastered the art of putting those small houses together with trains, avenues, retail stores and even highways! Not a simple task to do... and your road layouts always amaze me. Congratulations on the best looking region shot ever

Regards,
Pablo

[danielcote]

I want a patition stating that all the historic homes in harmony hills will all be historical while the $ homes can give way to newer homes. do you agree if so sign please. 

[fantnet]

Are these residentials Close to being release? I hate to ask but they are great and would look good in my burbs!

[JBSimio]

Matt:  Thanks!  Unfortunately, I can't say what the lawyers objected to underneath that picture.  However, I can tell you that the only reason I wrote that was because I really didn't have a caption to begin with.    There isn't really much of a secret to making these grow in clusters... just a lot of patience, I guess.  There is a lot of competition in this particular lot size, so it can definitely be tough.  They do seem to grow better if you zone (medium density) in the actual lot size of 3x2 or 4x2 using the ctrl key, as opposed to letting the zones grow together.  About the only other suggestion I can offer is to disable the Euro building style to cut out some of the competitors... none of my apartments are set to grow in that style anyway.  Nothing really behind the burrito story... it's just always been my personal opinion that Taco Bell made up the idea of soft shell tacos which just went on to confuse people who don't know any better. 

Bat:  Thank you!

Battlecat:  Thank you!  I definitely understand the theory behind the modern subdivision... I just tend to question whether or not it's actually a good idea. 

Robin:  Thank you so much!  The general layout of Covington has always been a challenge for me really.  Growing up in the midwest, everything was based heavily on grids so that when I moved to North Carolina the idea of a large city without much of a grid just fascinated me.  The challenge of building without the grid here has always just been part of the fun for me though... it also adds to the interest for me while playing and trying to figure out how to make things fit.

Daniel:  Thanks!  Well, let's see... in the order of your posting, we have:  Pheasant Run, Evergreen Hills, Camalot Apartments, Goober Terrace (just my name for this particular complex), and Stratton Apartments.  I can't really tell you much about Goober Terrace simply because SimGoober made them.    The others are all typically 2BR, one bath apartments... Evergreen Hills probably offers the most space, but is probably the most expensive.  Camalot Apartments are probably the cheapest based on their location.  I'll see if I can get a leasing agent in contact with you for more details. 

Joan:  Thank you!  I always appreciate your thoughts, so as far as I'm concerned, you just keep right on talking!    Redhawk Ridge certainly has a little bit of everything to offer.  Things seem to be mixing together here in ways that I honestly didn't anticipate when I first started developing this area.  As for the placement of Pheasant Run, it just seemed to me that a lot of these suburban apartment complexes tend to develop along the busier roads where traffic noise would be a little too much for those that can afford their own postage stamp lawn. 

Dustin:  Thank you!  I'm so glad you like how things are coming together here.  Thanks also for teaching me the plural form of cul-de-sac... I guess that's what happens when we try to steal other languages, huh?    "Fabricated chaos" is a perfect description of building these areas.  They look as if there is no rhyme or reason to them, but (as I'm sure you know) they definitely involve quite a bit of forethought and planning to make them fit together.  The toughest part is usually laying out the side streets in ways that will allow the most zones without too many "unservicable" gaps.  After that, I just unpause the game and hope for the best.

Glowbal:  Thank you so much!

Pablo:  Thank you!  You're very kind.

Daniel:  I had to look back a couple pages to remember where you meant, but I think the older part of Harmony Hills (which is actually the western side) stands a good chance of gaining Historic District protection.  Parts of The Barrens are also under consideration for the same treatment.

Fantnet:  Since the MD section is somewhat based on post counts, your question would have been more appropriate in my BAT thread please.  In that thread, I have already mentioned that these buildings are currently being tested and will be released as soon as they can be.  In the meantime... being tested means I get to test them too! 

Update Time!!!

Time to leave Covington again for a minute or two.  Since I've somehow gained the reputation of having a rural MD, I guess we shouldn't stay in the city too much.  So, in the meantime, here's a short little FAR upgrade again.  I'm still slowly working my way around the region and have been in the northeast corner lately.

45.01


Perhaps you'll remember Stokesdale from last summer.  This is the little town that hosts the Ukraine Independence Day parade every August.  I managed to make this town work without any major changes, although a couple side streets were rerouted.

45.02


A closer look shows that most of the village remains the same.  We'll try to come back again later in the summer and see if the new photographer can do a better job of covering the parade this year.

45.03


You may recall that north of Stokesdale along Squirrel Valley Road is the town of Salem.  This particular area needed a lot of work to get the smoother look finished and several buildings ended up having to be changed.  I really liked the way the roads on the left (one of which is state highway 46) come together on the west side of town.

45.04


A closer look at the intersection of Squirrel Valley Road and NC-46 shows some of the businesses that had to be moved or even changed to make the new curves fit.  Fortunately for everyone, that gas station and car dealership are still there!  (The taco stand did have to go though... I guess you'll have to head back into Covington for that.)

45.05


Just another angle of the same place.  It appears that they still haven't fertilized the lawn for the parsonage next door to the church.  It looks as if a few of the other homes around here could use a fresh coat of paint too.  Maybe the taco stand was a more important part of the town than anyone ever realised... hopefully things will bounce back soon.

45.06


This is just a random intersection along NC 46 that I simply liked the looks of.  Beyond that, this picture really serves no purpose...

Oh, alright... another FAR mosaic, I suppose.  North of Interstate 40, the US 29 freeway once again reverts to its original two lane highway alignment.  (Tried messing with a few effects on this one too... just for kicks)

45.07

Thanks for reading!!!
JB