Memphis, TN

[skellehe 0]

I've lurked for a long time here at Simtropolis and finally decided to put up a CJ. Actually, it will be more of a photoessay as I develop this region as I won't really be creating a story.

A few notes before the pictures:
- The region was from the Map Squad compilation of 20 or so maps. I live in Memphis so I chose the Memphis map, but I am not going to try to recreate the city.
- I like rural regions best. I plan to try to develop out in several directions from my starting city long before I really start to build up. If you like blocks of skyscrapers, then you'll be disappointed here.
- I don't use cheat mods, but I do have the bridge height mod, the query upgrade mod, parks with jobs, no one way arrows and the Prevent IR mod.
- I am using a ton of BATs. Many many thanks to the good folks at the BSC and CSX. The farming BATs will be prominent early on.

Here's the region. I picked this site because it is basically where the downtown area of Memphis actually is.

[rooker1 4]

Very cool map, lets see what you do with it.  Can't wait to see more.

[skellehe 0]

Alright, now for the city itself. Early on I want to create a solid farming community, so I have decided to try using blobs of cultivated land separated by wide greenbelts of trees. Instead of using many power lines, houses and shops on the main roads will connect power.



Above: The center of town at the crossroads of the Marshallville (north-south) and Shelby (east-west) roads. The local organic hawkers have set up their stand right at the intersection for the best exposure. The Garden Supply and Farm Supply centers sit toward the edge of the 'downtown' area. The 1st Presbyterian Church of Memphis was built early on to give the people some entertainment on their day off from farm work.



Above: To the south of the downtown, the Lutherans built their church right on the main road. The farmer's market and some larger stores stand at this intersection.



Above: To the east of town, on the way out to Shelby, the large Farmer's Co-op dominates the roadside and the WasteTech plant sits off on a side road for trash disposal.



Above: On the northern edge of town, some marsh lands act as a barrier for development. These lands provide a habitat for local wildlife as well as a potential site for recreational areas for citizens as the town grows larger.

To come: Development is planned in Memphis along the Marshallville road toward the town line. After a couple years, a feud in the local churches has caused some families to leave town to start farming the surrounding lands. Look for the birth of Shelby and Marshallville in the near future.

Comments and pointers and snide remarks are of course welcome!

[Amryai200 2]

wow, it looks great. i love the town's layout too

[Cjah 15]

Great use of farms!!!

I like PEG's ponds and streams for the marsh.....Very creative....

 

Also I would say you started off good...

 

Heres a rating for ya....8.2/10!!!

 

Its very rural and has many BATs....I like the natural setting....

 

But you should get the dirt streets for your very out of the way areas....To complete the farming aura.....

[jacqulina 162]

great start

[____----____ 37]

cool farm design i used to do that same thing in my rural cities

it looks so cool. 

 

AK

[UrbanSprawl 5]

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[cent36 0]

were you get this map from ive been looking for one of memphis for a while think you could send it to me some how??? if not at least please tell me were you got it

[dhoppeii 12]

Nice job.  I like the farm layout....Looks great.

[skellehe 0]

Many things have been happening in and around the town of Memphis.

First we'll look at the region wide view of the growth.


Above: Two neighboring towns have been founded



Above: Further growth along the two major roads through the region.

Now, a look at what's happening in the neighboring towns.



Above: This is a view of Templeton which is situated to the north of Memphis. It's just a small sleepy little town. The residents tend to go to Memphis for any diversions. A few stores are present here to provide the basics.



Above: Here is an early shot of Shelby situated east along newly designated Route 19. The first residents of the town quickly acted to build an 'old' church as well as a Taco Bell.



Above: A reverse shot of Shelby after much development. The new Southen-Central Railroad has a small freight depot built on the edge of town.

[skellehe 0]

Now, back to the happenings in Memphis itself. The town has grown well thanks to the establishment of the two major avenues through town, Route 213 and Route 19. Due to the growth, the Southern-Central Railroad has built its new line through the Memphis area.



Above: The rail road cuts through some of the empty land in town to avoid too much interference to established homes or businesses. The engineers decided to build a tunnel under 213 to keep from stalling traffic when trains pass through.



Above: In the marshlands, the town constructed a tower for residents to climb to take in the breathtaking view of the city as well as try to spot wildlife. Local businessman, Sylvester McBrien claims to have spotted an elephant, but this claim is not commonly believed by the residents of Memphis.



Above: Slightly to the north of the freight station, more industry has been built up around the Wastetech plant.



Above: The SC Rail freight station. This is in the previously undeveloped southeastern part of the town. The farm supply company moved its business from the center of town to the outskirts. Some industry has sprung up around the freight station as well.



Above: North of the marshlands, more land has been brought into cultivation as well as more residential areas built. The Franciscans built a monastery next to the Anne's Creek. Weekend retreats have become quite popular with people in the region.

That's it for now. Coming soon should be a view of the whole city of Memphis as well as some shots of the smaller towns along the roads.

[pjj4000 0]

'nother memphian here... great update, love the farms... too bad the game makes it impossible to recreate the real city... diagonal bridges are a bit of a problem, as well as irregular grids...

i'm gonna try to teach myself BAT this summer and try to tackle things like The Pyramid and Central Station, maybe even the demolished Union Station and Poplar St. Station... and maybe some other things like the Customs House, Civic Plaza, and office buildings like Sterick, Clark Tower, things like that... midtown-style apartment buildings...

 

well, i can dream... i hope i get good at it...

[newyorkrunaway1 110]

this should be intersting!!! I love memphis, is a ghetto, but i live the downtown area with all its reconstruction. I will keep an eye on this one!!!

[CWLGAMER01 39]

Your use of farm land amazes me.  It looks GREAT!

I cant wait to see more.

[Cody02 0]

Hey skellehe! I'm from Memphis too you know. First I thought you were actually recreating the city but I could see how it would be difficult to do, especially trying to put the Memphis-Arkansas, Harahan, and Frisco Bridges diagonal across the Mississippi (not possible). Well good job on making those rural towns, it looks very realistic! I hope pjj4000 can make those buildings with the BAT that would be great. I had no idea we had so many other Memphians on Simtropolis. GOOD JOB!

~Cody02~

[Nardo69 51]

You got some nice farms and rural communities there. Great work! I guess you banned away the ingame farms just to get the BSC / BLS / CSX ones. Since you use a flat terrain that's okay.

Just - don't let the railway go down. Since railways are very sensitive to slopes, way more than cars and trucks, it is the road (or avenue in your case) that goes over or under the (flat) railway. Just a hint from someone who loves railways.

BTW: How come no farm dilapation next to the avenue? If I have more than a little traffic on a street i have dilapation on the fields and you have fields next to an avenue????

Anyway: Great work!!!

Nardo