Holt: One Year Later

[crazychickensc12 84]

Really awesome first two updates!! I love amount of parking used and variety of BAT's are gorgeous!! The very first Mall pic and Night Time mosaic I think are my favs but all the pics are great! Oh and I like how you used the canals too in some pics! Looking forward to more updates!!

Welcome To Page 2!!!!!

  Edited August 3, 2012 by crazychickensc12  

[Charlie_Zane 963]

loving all those night pics! The lights! They're amazing!

[Benedict 3,119]

Great new endeavor - and the public has spoken - you're number one on BTT this week.

[simlink 1,098]

Welcome to another update of Holt District!

Today's update may not be as flashy as the previous 2, but there is a reason for that. Today we are venturing to one of the coastal municipalities in Holt District, Old Port. The town has a long, and at times troublesome, history. The City was one of the first areas settled in what is now Holt District. It is often joked that there is a pyromaniac and their famioly residing in Old Port, as it has burned to the ground not once, not twice, but three times since it was settled in the early 1700s. The latest burning, in 1907, levelled the town completely.

So Old Port was constructed for the fourth time. And this time, it was bustling. It had a booming downtown area and, despite its name, did not have a port. But things went fishy when Old Port was folded into Holt District upon the regions formation in 1970. What was a small, beautiful town became dysfunctional. Development was haphazard, with a mega-sized office buiding being constructed in the middle of a residential area. History downtown buildings were destroyed for the parking lot of a new supermarket. Offices continued to be built, and residents suffered greatly.

One day, election day in the mid-1990s, residents had had enough, and booted the mayor and all 3 councillors out of office. The newly elected mayor promished to clean up politics in Old Port, and has been attempting (key word: attempting) to since then. But things weren't all rosey.

As the rest of Holt District expanded, Old Port contracted. Its population declined from 11 000 to the approximate 7000 it is today. Many vacant neighbourhoods were demolished, and streets torn-up and grassed-over to hide the cities troubled past.

But the new mayors plan to stop all development led to a backlash from developers who has started to eye the area, and infuriated residents. Elected on the promise of better planned development, development was eliminated all-together. Why not vote the mayor out? He has sucessfully has Old Port designated a no development zone in the region. So no mayor would be able to approve developments until the regional plan was re-opened. A consequence of this development freeze was the reconstruction of the town's only school, Port Public & Secondary School. The mayor had sucesfully killed new development, but also killed the school reconstruction by accident.

Which brings us to today, where Old Port has remained the same for nearly 2 decades. While restrictions have been loosened to allow individual building reconstruction, development is still off limits.

The Town of Old Port - Depressed & Stuck in the Past

3.1 | Downtown Old Port has faced its challenges over the years. As mentioned in the introduction, the town has burned to the ground 3 separate times. Even after that, those buildings constructed in the early 1900s faced several attacks from developers in the 70s-80s. One historic building was demolished and replaced with an "ugly", modernized version of what previously stood there (left of the photo.)

3.2 | Several more historic buildings were demolished for the parking lot of this supermarket. This was the first in a long string of mis-steps which caused the previous mayor his job. Outrage was so high over the approval of this grocery store and demolition of historic buildings that the mayor requested body guards to follow him and protect his house. An empty box was left at his office, but was not meant as a threat. It was meant to symbolize the perception that the mayor didn't have a brain for allowing this development. No charges were laid.

3.3 | The final development approved under the mayor's tenure was this office development. Outcry far surpassed the supermarket development, so much the region was said to be days away from ousting the mayor from office. He resigned only hours before the region would have made the announcement. Although this development provides employment for the area, it was criticized for being in the middle of a residential area, the expropriation of land for its development, and the design. Residents critiqued the design saying it looked exactly like the offices found in Manatee or Sherkston.

3.4 | As mentioned in the introduction, the current mayor's (Alber Fonzworth) freezing of all development project lead to the cancellation of a badly-needed school redevelopment. Housing students in kindergarten to Grade 12, this school served the entire municipality. Due to the development laws, only the repairs necessary to keep the school from collapsing have been made. The safety of the building is a constant question of residents.

3.5 | The biggest disappointment facing residents of Old Port is the mayors unwillingness to allow re-landscaping to occur at Port Park. Long a source of pride of the town, the park has declined in recent years as a series of storms and high-winds have downed trees, and droughts have killed off the majority on non-tree vegetation. Despite cries from residents, council has repeatedly declined to remodel the park. To add insult to injury, the council approved a cell phone tower to be placed in the upper corner of the park.

3.6 | Despite all these problems, residential neighbourhoods like this one are still highly sought after. Waterfront property is waterfront property in many buyers eyes.

3.7 | Vegetation remains very strong in this area, along the canals. This area is considered the most beautiful area in Old Port by the majority of residents, evident by the shimmy soccer games on weekends and various picnics.

2.8 | While Old Port can still be considered "depressed" in terms of development, things are beginning to improve. The "absolutely no development" provisions were lifted by the region much to the outcry of Old Port council, and the delight of residents. The first house to be (re)coinstructed in nearly 2 decades is making progress.

There is feeling that in the next municipal election, sweeping changed will be had in Old Port...

Not all coastal cities in Holt District are suffering, however. On the contrary, some are experiencing record building booms, and have been growing steadily for years. This is the latest in a string of condominium developments in a municipality south of Old Port, where we will find ourselves in update 4...

That is it for today's update on Old Port. With development reaching a white-hot pace in Holt District, and demand (and prices) skyrocketing, Old Port like many other municipalities will never be the same...

MarkusJ

Thanks, I'm a sucker for a good night mosaic.

dylan88

Thanks, glad you like it!

Mithrik

Thanks! It took a while to get that area right... As for the parking, le woops. Not much I can do, except demolish and rotate the building. (that may quietly happen, haha.)

Schulmanator

Thanks! One of my favourite mosaics, night or day, that I've ever made.

MamaLuigi945

Thanks - that downtown was an experiment and I think it turned out pretty well.

jack3oh3

Thanks, building choice required a little trial-and-error, and a bulldozer. Also, link worked fine for me - maybe my site host went down...

dylan88

Me too.

TayMay27

Isn't it, though? And glad you like the update plan (that's what I'd of called it, too.)

SimCoug

It's always nice to see hard-work recognized by the readers. Glad you think so - and there is a lot of work and time left to go, too!

jack3oh3

Nope, never touched the link. Probably my site host going offline for a brief period of time. As for the other link at SC4D, that was the links with pictures, not my signature.

That was a different problem unrelated to the one here.

Frex_Ceafus

Thanks, hope you enjoyed this update as well!

crazychickensc12

Thanks - coming from you that means a lot. Those 2 photos are my favourites so far, as well. Though update 4 could rival those...

Also thanks for welcoming us to page 2 (already!!!)

City_Master

Glad you liking the lights... many more coming up in update 4 (and possibly 5)!

Benedict

Thank You! It is a huge honour to make it to number in this CJ's first week - the response has been amazing.

I would like to thank everyone for the continuing overwheling response to Holt District - a lot of time has gone into this and it is just awesome to see everyone's response! Thanks everyone!!

I would also like to thank everyone for making Holt District #1 on Ben's Top Ten in its first week - what a huge honour!

Next Update: We will be venturing southwards from Old Port to a new town which has a booming condo market...

[Schulmanator 5,806]

I agree that the homes are nice. But the core is, shall we say, uninspired. The mayor would have been deposed and incarcerated in Schulmania for having presided over such a decline. Let's hope Old Port sails again soon!

[Kifflom112 355]

The houses abutting the water is amazing. It really makes me want to start playing SC again when I realize how beautiful your city can be. Love the CJ.

[Charlie_Zane 963]

Look at all those trees!

And are they canals?

Ok, i'm moving here. Next flight to Holt District please!

[SimCoug 5,973]

Great use of the ploppable paths in the park picture!

[dylan88 5]

Love the waterfront houses! Reminds me of Clearwater, FL.

[Jack³ 291]

I like the story. Once again, a great choice of buildings.

[Markus J 242]

Oh nice construction lots, I haven't seen those before (I don't think).

You belt along the shoreline well.

[Sciurus 323]

Very nice update!!

Guillaume.

[simlink 1,098]

I present the first issue of "HOLT NEWS" for your enjoyment.

Hope this tides you over until the next update.

  Edited August 8, 2012 by sim_link  

[Schulmanator 5,806]

Nicely done!! And the weather looks to be verrrrrrry humid!!

[SimCoug 5,973]

Great paper! Although it looks like the ad market is pretty soft at the moment if they can't sell the spot on the first page

[Markus J 242]

I voted no!! How dare you not obey me!!

Heh, just kidding...

[packersfan 666]

Great job! Interesting how you can what map you used and how the land has been molded for a freeway in some places...and also you kept all those docks!!! Interesting that you did that and then built residences on them, haha. Great start.

[Jack³ 291]

Excellent newspaper website! I hope I see more of them later.
  Edited August 9, 2012 by jack3oh3  

[Kevenbro 94]

That's wonderful bro.

[simlink 1,098]

Edit: Sorry everyone, I forgot to convert the images to JPEGs, so they are PNGs for this update.

Welcome to another update of Holt District!

In today's update we have moved south from Old Port to the town of Shorecoast. Unlike Old Port, Shorecoast is thriving and lively. Home to 70000 people, the housing market and condominium market is booming, so much so that development is not keeping up with the pace of demand. It is estimated that there are an excess of 5000 people looking to get into the property market in Shorecoast - in addition to those who have registered for new units.

And with all this development, a small CBD (the smallest of the 3 in Holt District - but by no means tiny), and a lot of awesome scenery, there is a lot to see. So much so that I have split our introduction to Shorecoast into 2 updates. In this update, we focus on the southern suburbs and southern "condominium area" - as well as the immidiate area surrounding a new condo development for good measure. So with that, let's go have a look into Shorecoast...

Shorecoast - Booming Development Along the Coast

Part 1 of 2

4.1 | We begin today's update, here in the southern portion of Shorecoast. Houses in this area aren't cheap. Houses which require a lot of repairs and modernization go for mid-$400 000's to low $500 000's. Houses that have already been modernized and added onto range anywhere the mid $600 000's all the way up to $2 million - depending on the house and location. Why are house prices so high? Perhaps it is the excellent school and convenience of the library. Perhaps it is the easy commute to Downtown Sherkston, Downtown Manatee and Downtown Shorecoast, or maybe it is the fact the majority of this neighbouhood is on the water.

Or it could be the fact there is an Ikea. Yes, it is definitely because there is an Ikea.

4.2 | As mentioned, a large portion of this area is surrounded by water. This little point has some very exclusive - and expensive - homes. The cheapest house to recently sell in this area sold for around $875 000.

Even the wind turbine dampens the value of the homes in this area - they are cropping up through the entire region and feature the latest in noise dampening technology.

4.3 | Due to the nature of the land in Shorecoast - the entire city is a combination of keys and islands - bridges like this are common. And thanks to the hot property market, construction scenes like this are very common as well. Houses on the water in this development have been set at a starting price of $1 000 000.

4.4 | When the housing property began to take off, developers quickly purchased land bordering the ocean. They developed condominiums in a pace never seen before (until recently) in the region. This development is one of my personal favourites - it is in a non-grid layout and has trees surrounding it. It is popular amongst buyers because of the smaller buildings.

4.5 | Just above this development lies 2 identical condominium towers and a small complex of smaller buildings - the smaller complex being the first condos in the city.

4.6 | Before we move to another area - here is the area we are currently looking at night. I thought it looked really cool thanks to the placement of the buildings.

4.7 | Okay, now we can move on. Here we pick up where the last update left off - the newest condominium development to pop-up. Consisting of 2 buildings, the buildings sold out within a week of becoming available. The developer is already looking to construct another development...

4.8 | The new development is being constructed in an area already filled with a variety of condominiums, most of which have been completed within the past 4 years. While many buildings look alike, residents or town councilors have yet to complain, noting that while the town can try to get building diversity - it would be a long and expensive endeavor

4.9 | This is the same area, viewed from further out. Traffic may be a concern in the future as traffic levels continue to rise. You can also see another wind turbine amongst the high-rises.

4.10 | Of course, not all of the 'islands' or keys have been developed. Some, like these, are preserved as parkland and are frequently used as recreational area by residents and tourists, despite the wind turbines.

That's all for today - I hope you enjoyed the update! This is one of our first updates to this town, with part 2 of our introduction coming up as the next update. This is one of my favourite cities, so I hope you enjoyed it as well.

Schulmanator

The core is for sure uninspiring. This may be the subject of future updates... we shall see.

Somehow I think throwing the politician in jail here in Holt District would be... extreme. Afterall, as boneheaded as he may be, the residents voted for him. He didn't do anything criminal... just stupid.

Zulu2065

Thanks - it is always a nice feeling when I can inspire someone. Hope you also enjoyed today's waterfront properties.

City_Master

Yes, those are trees - and those are indeed canals!

Flights are available, but they don't land directly in Holt District - the region doesn't have an airport.

SimCoug

Thanks - one of the first times I used them. They will pop up once and a while.

dylan88

Oddly enough, this is a map of a Floridian city - Ft. Lauderdale.

jack3oh3

Thanks - story not as integral in this update, but we will for sure return to storytime in the future.

MarkusJ

Thanks, I had them a long time ago, lost them and found them a few months ago. Glad you like the shoreline developments.

Sciurus

Thanks!

Schulmanator

Thank You! The weather has been hot, then not as hot but humid so I figured it would work well for Holt District as well.

SimCoug

Glad you like the paper. Since it is styled after a website, that ad cycles through occasionally to get people to buy advertising space.

MarkusJ

Haha - council has spoken.

packersfan

The map is really detailed - although you don't see those details when in the city tile. A future freeway may appear there, or somewhere else.

Hope you enjoyed more of they keys today.

jack3oh3

I hope to make more of them - response seems to have been good!

Kevenbro

Thanks Bro!

Next Update: We will continue to be in Shorecoast - looking at the condominum development area once again, the CBD and other houses on the water.

  Edited August 12, 2012 by sim_link  

[Kifflom112 355]

Can't wait to see how this area will look almost fully developed. I looked at your map and found this area, it's just amazing how much detail went into making the coast of this map, all the water near the houses and stuff.

  Edited August 12, 2012 by Zulu2065  

[Markus J 242]

Wow, now that is an impressive coastline! It looks very expensive.

[crazychickensc12 84]

Great few updates since I have visited last! I love the suburbia feel of the shorecoast area! Although I must say those people are insane for shelling out almost 900K for a view of that awesome turbine haha Awesome work here sim_link looking forward to the next shots of your citY!

[emperordaniel 1,281]

Neat!

[dylan88 5]

Great update! I had a feeling it was a Floridian map

[rewright 804]

Shorecoast reminds me of the Aventura area in North Dade County: very upscale!

[SimCoug 5,973]

Yay, classic sim_link development! I like this update.

[GreekMan 246]

wow!!! this cj is very impressive! i love your downtown manatee! awesome work and please dont stop! very cool with the website as well! keep it up!

[vivapanda 422]

The Holt District turns out to be far more awesome then I had expected!

Your website looks very professional =D

[Fox 1,444]

The last picture looks awesome .. love how it looks so swampy yet pristine.