Ocean Point

[comdude21 6]

RHF: One of those is right......

King: Thanks for the compliments. As for your suggestion, I think about it. My main plan for extending the config.bmp is to go southward, with more towns on the mainland/barrier islands.

The big update will be ready by later today. For now, I'm sorry but I'm going to have to double post to make the Table of Contents for page 10.

[comdude21 6]

I couldn't have guessed it would get this far.

Thanks for all of your comments! Without them, this CJ wouldn't have the slightest chance at page 10 (Let alone page 2).

Get ready for the update, which should come by this afternoon.

[comdude21 6]

Ocean Point: 150,850

First, downtown Ocean Point:



A close-up of downtown:



I have a before/after sequence of a new exit which was built in Ocean Point on I-268, on the mainland just north of the I-268 Inlet Bridge.

Before exit construction:



After the exit construction:



Here is the relatively new I-268/Rt. 99 Interchange on the mainland, south of the Pinewood River. It involves two ground highway T-Interchanges, and a major elevated highway/avenue interchange/exit. Many sims now use this interchange.



The East Inlet Bridge District, east of the Inlet Bridge on the island, is one of the nicest parts of the city.



The Pinewood Neck District is located on the tip of the geographical Pinewood Neck (Which includes the towns of Baytown and South Baytown, as well as parts of East Bayville and this part of Ocean Point). It is on the mainland, north of the Pinewood River.



The Turpike District, located along the Downtown Pike (E/W Avenue), Route 71 (N/S Avenue), and I-268 is one of the nicer districts in Ocean Point. A few taller commercial office buildings and residential apartment buildings are located in this district.



The South Point District is probably the nicest district in Ocean Point. It's located on the north side of the South Inlet, and is southwest of downtown.




I also have a couple of things to announce:

1. I have done a lot of work with PEG's Industrial CDK, and it is great. Port South Shores is almost completed. The smaller ports in North Beach and East Bayville have been completed.

2. I downloaded PEG's Brigantine Water Mod just recently, after taking the pictures for this update and developing a little bit. I am very impressed with it, and I plan to keep it. Once I post it, I want to know what everyone else thinks about how it looks in this region.

Comments, compliments, constructive criticism, questions, suggestions etc. are, as always, very much appreciated.

[RadioheadFan 1]

Congratulations! Ocean Point looks great and I'm very excited for what you did with the Industrial CDK. Great job.

[Mikeaut1 261]

Yes! Page 10!!! Very well done, Comdude. Love the city pics!

[kingofsimcity 5,739]

Really Beautiful Downtown. if you look at mine, its a skyscraper forest!! Wonderful Work!!

[comdude21 6]

Thanks for the compliments. If it wasn't for you three, this CJ would probably not be around anymore. Nobody else seems to reply any more, but at least you do.

This smaller update will comprise of regional satellite and transportation pictures, the first since the seventh or eighth page of this CJ. I don't believe that any were posted on page 9.

As you can see, I downloaded PEG's Brigantine Water Mod. I think it looks great.

Southwestern part of region, satellite image:



Northeastern part of region, satellite image:



Southwestern part of region, transportation map:



Northeastern part of the region, transportation map:



I've gone back to the old MSPaint edited transportation maps, which are a staple in this CJ.

I plan on posting an update on South Shores, with its port almost completed. That would be three updates in one day, but I have been playing the game quite a lot lately.

[RadioheadFan 1]

Wow, they look great. After you post an update on South Shores, can you provide some pics of North Beach. No hurry or anything, but it's my favourite part of Ocean Point and it would be nice to see it.

[jarcher 0]

Looking as good as ever.  I may not reply often, but I'm always watching for updates

[comdude21 6]

RHF: Thanks. I'll try to provide a North Beach update in the next few days. The port is finished there, so that shouldn't be a problem.

jarcher: Thanks for the compliments.

To all:

The South Shores update will be big. Right now, I won't be able to show it yet, but tommorow morning it should be ready. As of now, South Shores is the main port city in the region.

As for the region, it has been growing rapidly. Things are really changing in Pinewood County (For the better, of course) . The towns of Seaside Point, Great Bend, Baytown and Bayside may all be like new towns by their next updates. Just look at the transitions which took place in Pinewood Banks, South Baytown and South Inlet.

[RadioheadFan 1]

Ooooh...Pinewood County was relatively empty before, can't wait to see what it looks like now.

[comdude21 6]

RHF: Parts of it are, yeah. Well, depends which part you're talking about You are aware that the whole region is Pinewood County, right? If I forgot to say that before, darnit. Well, now I did I guess.

Here is the South Shores update which has finally come. The port is about 90% built, and I have the new Brigantine Water Mod in action. Here is an overview of the port town of South Shores.



Downtown South Shores:



Alright, now to the ports. There are four port pictures: West, Central, Central East and East (Describing the location of each picture).

Here is the central picture:



Central east (Just to the east of the central picture):



East (East of central east picture):



And finally, West (The furthest west of the pictures). This is also the newest area.

[Mikeaut1 261]

Oh Wow! Look at that town! Very industrialized around the waterfront. Looking splendid and realistic!

[oroen 0]

It's really quite interesting to compare downtown Ocean Point with the port area of South Shores. You get a whole different feel between the two areas. The industrial shorefront in South Shores is not far from the commercial/residential parts, and the rail lines here along the shore industrial area look great. Nice and real, as always!

[Superstar 69]

Lovely city and not in the pullosion side of it... in all it al looks GREAT!

[RadioheadFan 1]

It looks very good. It took me forever to constuct a mediocre port using the CDK, lol. What I means was the cities called Pinewood, e.g. North Pinewood, South Pinewood, Pinewood and East Pinewood. They were pretty much empty before.

[comdude21 6]

Mikeaut: Thanks for the compliments. Always the best thing is for my towns to be called realistic, lets me know that I'm doing my job. I'm getting inspiration from your journal as well, it's one of the main sources of inspiration.

oroen: Thanks for the compliments. Yes, I was definately trying to get the blended feel between the three zone types in South Shores. Glad you noticed that. I also am glad to see you noticed how different parts of the region are, as in the comparison between Ocean Point and South Shores. I try to make each town distinct. I see your new avatar, a sign on the Jersey Turnpike! I'm from NJ, are you from here too? Anyways, I-68 is an NJ Turnpike/Garden State Parkway (Turnpike with East and West branches down in the southern part of the region) inspired route, as are some of the other highways.

superstar: Thanks for the compliments, nice to get a compliment from the creator of NY2. And also the creator of some incredible BATs btw.

RHF: Thanks. Actually, I'm considering dividing the region into two or three different counties. Those towns you're talking about would be part of Pinewood County, as would everything south of the Pinewood River. The county seat would probably be Great Bend.

To all:

Talking about Great Bend, the next update should be a big Great Bend update. The Pinewood River Ferry Line (PRFL) has been a boon to the town, as well as the new I-31 exit to Route 99. More on that later, and plenty of pictures.

[comdude21 6]

The Old Town on the Pinewood River Continues to Grow

Here's a histroy lesson on the town of Great Bend, followed by the update:

Great Bend was one of the first towns settled in the region, in the late 1600's as a trading post along the Pinewood River. Other towns/settlements in the area at the time consisted of (With estimations as to what order each town came in): Ocean Point (1st), East Bayville (2nd), Bayside (3rd), and Baytown (4th) before Great Bend came. The exact order of settlement in this part of the New World is unknown.

Great Bend grew up quickly along the Pinewood River. It also made as a great fort. The Pinewood River is only navigable up to just upstream of Great Bend. Thus, the town's citizens could move up the river to hide from advancing British ships.

After the American Revolution, the town became more developed. Two main routes intersected at the town's downtown, just south of the Pinewood River. These routes are today known as Route 99 and Route 34. Route 99, Riverside Ave., goes from Great Bend to Pinewood Shoals, Pinewood Banks, Ocean Point (Mainland portion south of the Pinewood River), South Inlet, OPI, South Shores and Crosstown. Route 34 heads south from Great Bend through Pinewood Shoals, and on to the small town of Pinewood.

Today, Great Bend has several main routes: Routes 99 and 34, Great Bend Road (E/W Avenue, north of the Pinewood River), and North Pinewood Drive (Avenue that comes in from the north near the coal plants and crosses the river at the westernmost crossing while heading south), and I-31. The town has maintained much of its historical district, including some large mansions, row houses, and single-family houses. In fact, it has the largest historical district of any town in the region.

North of the river, the development is mostly new. High-tech and manufacturing industries, as well as a large amount of low and medium wealth commercial businesses, are located in the newer part of Great Bend north of the Pinewood River.

Here is a picture of almost the entire town:



Downtown Great Bend contains the town's historic district, as well as the intersection of Routes 99 and 34, one of the oldest and most widely used intersectons in the county.



Great Bend's industrial areas, mostly located to the north of the Pinewood River, employ over 10,000 sims. In addition, the commercial developments in this area make for plenty of big box stores, corporate offices and strip malls along Great Bend Road (E/W Avenue).



There used to be no exit/intersection between I-31 and Route 99 in Great Bend. However, the needs of the town caused the I-31/Route 99 intersection project to begin. Here is what this area looked like before the new exit/intersection was constructed:



This is what the same area looks like now. Not only was this part of I-31 reconstructed, but most of the highway west of the Pinewood River was rebuilt as well. There had been no exit for Route 34 either, which was built in the Great Bend I-31 project along with the new I-31/Route 99 Interchange.



Finally, here is the new Great Bend Country Club. It's located near the Pinewood River, and the I-31 bridge over the river.

[Mikeaut1 261]

Great history and pictures! Very nice job!

[kingofsimcity 5,739]

Excellent Update. BTW, I like how you use PEG's Brigantine Water Mod.

[gravemind 0]

I found this CJ very interesting to read...I am particularly impressed by your accomplishments in keeping congestion so low, given such a huge region. The naturalistic layout of all the cities is really cool too. I would be interested in seeing some aura maps of the region; crime, healthcare coverage, that sort of thing. Keep posting! Im interested to see how it will all turn out. Will you ever go high density? Will a big volcano erupt in downtown I will be checking back...

 

Gravemind

[RadioheadFan 1]

Wow, Great Bend is looking much different and nicer. I especially like the area around the intersection of Route 99 and Route 34. It feels like page 2 rather than page 10...

[comdude21 6]

Mikeaut: Thanks for the compliments. Glad you like the history, and I'll continue it for other towns.

King: Thanks for the compliments. It's a good thing PEG made the Brigantine Water MOD, because I think it works well in this region too.

Gravemind: Thanks for the compliments. I may or may not post aura/crime/healthcare etc. maps, but for the most part, these things are kept in check. The life expectancy in most of the towns/cities is at 90, education is mainly between 160 and 200, police stations are placed where there is medium or high crime, and the aura is probably pretty good. Hope this helps. I don't think I'll go any higher density than what is currently in Ocean Point, but I may zone for some tall oceanfront towers up and down the beach. As for disasters, including volcanoes, I don't plan on using them. There's too much of a risk of accidentally saving the game.

RHF: Thanks for the compliments. Making Great Bend nicer was a huge challenge. I had to work around budget problems and unemployment for the town to get to where it is today.

To all:

Hopefully, I will have a North Beach update ready sometime later today.

[RadioheadFan 1]

That's great. I don't know how you get the time to update every day, but it sure makes me happy! But who knows what could happen...maybe Dr. Vu will fly over Ocean Point and dump a large barrel of toxic waste on the mayor's house...lol.

[Speedy 0]

Just wanna say that i love your regionviews! They are awesome realistic looking

Great work comdude!

[bobinator 0]

I love how you've done your downtown! It looks extreamly realistic! Great job with this city journal! Can't wait for the next update!

[comdude21 6]

RHF: Thanks. I actually don't have that much time, but I make updates really quick. The North Beach update here was pretty extensive to make, but some updates take me 5-10 minutes, to make and post it here. So I can go into the game and have an update posted here within 8 or 10 minutes if I am really in a rush. I'm really quick, I go into the game, do my business and get out. Even though it's really fun to play (Usually, at least ). Since I'm not good with story lines, don't expect any of those though. Dr. Vu won't be bombing Ocean Point anytime soon. I may try a little historical storyline like I did in Great Bend, though.

Speedy: Thanks for the compliments. I'm really glad you like the region views, since building a realistic region is my biggest goal.

bobinator: Thanks for the compliments. Great to hear you think downtown is realistic, because it is the center of the region.

now on to the update....

Growth is constant in one of the region's most prestigious towns

C: 20,536

North Beach was a small, and mostly commercial town for much of its early days. It soon became a haven for dirty industry. The developers at that time didn't realize the effect that dirty, polluting industry would have on the barrier island, which North Beach is located on.

Luckily enough, as wealthier sims moved in and North Beach became more of a vacation town than an industrial center in the early to mid 1900's, the dirty industries quickly moved out. Manufacturing and high-tech industries took their place. Today, the city's industry is mainly high-tech.

North Beach's western areas have always had the most industry. The new Port North Beach has been constructed on Marshland Bay. This is what the western part of North Beach looks like as of now:



The eastern portion of North Beach has most of the higher-wealth sims. It is a heavily residential area. Downtown is a large commercial area, and there are a couple of smaller industrial parks, with mainly high-tech industries.



Now that the history of North Beach has been explained, here's a look at the new Port North Beach.

Port North Beach was supposed to be a large port, as North Beach remains the town with the highest amount of industrial jobs in the region. However, do to an uneven coastline and the mayor mode terrain tools being hard to use, the town has backed off on making a grand port. However, North Beach still has a fairly decent port. The main area of the port, which has three parts (See the first picture in this update), is shown here:



Downtown North Beach is a center of commerce and trading, as it has been since the town was first settled. This is what it looks like today:



Here is the Parkway Greens District, a nice area in central North Beach:



The West Downtown District is located near Downtown, the Rec. Center, North Beach Municipal Airport, North Beach University and North Beach Country Club, and it has thrived in its location:



The Atlantic Beach District is located on the ocean, and it has always been a nice place:

[Chris M 406]

I like this CJ alot, I should come in here more you update like crazy, I love the water color looks like its been poluted though..

[oroen 0]

Excellent as usual. And to answer your question, I am actually from PA but have been to NJ many times and am quite familiar with the area. I took the pic in my avatar on a trip back from New England, I think.

[RadioheadFan 1]

Wow. North Beach looks so awesome. I especially like your downtown-big enough but not stupid big. I don't know how many times I've said that before, but it is so true. Keep it up, and thanks for fulfilling my request.