Massive Benson Update
Simlympic Replies
@spursrule14: Thank you!
@Benedict: Thank you for your support and for your Christmas card!
@Schulmanator: It looks I've been lucky!
@raynev1: Thanks!
@RepublicMaster: Thank you! 
@Hazani Pratama: Thanks!
@10^13: I hope so!
@NMUSpidey: We're now waiting for them!
@ForthWall: Thank you and congrats for your fantastic ISC Session! Very cool job there!
@blunder: It took more than expected to make it look the way I wanted, but the results are worth! Too bad that, in the close ups, it looks like a regular road... 
@Johan_91: Thank you!
@ggamgus: 
@SC4L0ver: ¡Muchas Gracias!
@k50: Thank you! I learnt from previous Simlympic bidders like you... As for the orange fencing, you're right, I think I've gone a bit overboard with it.
@Fox: Thanks! It is my first crossed-runways publicly shown airport, I think it is one of my best designs ever. Very simple, but nice IMHO.
@111222333444: Thank you for your support here and at SimSports!
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I planned to release this update during the next days, but given that Benson has been awarded with the V Winter Simlympics, I can't resist to show my largest update ever, 32 pictures with their own little stories on them about one single city, Benson. The next thing you'll see about it, will be in a Simlympic contest.
Happy tour around Benson, don't forget to take a look to the souvenir shop!
Many visits to this city begin at the airport. It is usually flooded with Delta and FedEx airliners, given that David F. Woodward is a focus airoprt for them, but in this case, we can spot a AA plane landing.
The airport is divided in the Concourses A and B, which join at The Triangle. At the other side, the cargo area is taken by FedEx and UPS airplanes, surrounded by agricultural areas.
Benson Valves, Inc. state-of-the-art new premises are placed very near the airport. BV is among the top 5 valves manufacturers in the USA, and the leading safety valves manufacturers in the nation. Their safety valves are well-known nationwide and around the world. If there's a water, steam or air installation, there's a Benson safety valve.
Red Terrace District is one of the quietest and safest suburbs of Benson. Its Victorian houses and aligned trees make it a very desirable place to live, still not taken by the richest.
This bridge is one of the oldest in Benson, first used by railroads and later reconverted to road transit, it is now a city landmark. It links West Benson with the Industrial Area and the Simlympic Athletes' Village.
The Simlympic Athletes' VIllage is ready to host all the V Winter Simlympics participats and their ice skates, sticks, stones, skis, boards and all their equipment. After the games, it will be reconverted in a public housing district.
Things have evolved a lot since the first public housing attempt in Benson. North Deadwoods Estates cannot be considered a success, although they put an end to the city housing problems during the 60s and the industrial boom.
Deadwoods Estates dwellers have privileged sights of the Interstate 70 freeway, one of the longest freeways of the Interstate Highway System, running from Utah to Maryland. The junction with I-370 highway is a typical traffic jam area during rush hours.
Several dozens of warehouses can be found along the I-70 all over the State of Benson. Logistics is an important business here, given it's key placement between the western and the central states.
I-370 first was an easy and fast way of travelling between Benson city and the I-70. The city expansion swallowed the highway, and it is currently considered a scar on the city. There are very few bridges from one side to another, and is both a physical and psychological divide between the two sides.
The I-370 ending (or beginning) is witnessed by Wren Insurance headquarters. When it was constructed there, in 1950, many thought it was misplaced, in a run-down area of the city where there wasn't much more than a highway. Nowadays, it is a historical landmark.
Not far from there, Barnanova Circle is the center of a kind of mini-downtown, a district taken by department stores and chic boutiques.
The Benson Goverment building, placed very near the city downtown; where the statewide decisions are taken. It is one of the safest buildings around, being constantly monitored by the Police.
Despite the increasing gentrification of the inner-city districts, still remain some historical buildings. These three towers were one of the tallest residential buildings in the time they were built, when the high-speed tracks weren't laid yet and vast rye fields surrounded the area.
High-speed rail was a revolution for Benson when the first train arrived during the 00s. Travelling to cities like Denver, Colorado Springs or Salt Lake City was much faster and easier.
The old Benson Valves, Inc. premises were placed very near the city downtown, in a formerly industrial area. Many old industrial buildings are being currently reconverted into new uses. In this case, this is going to be the future site of Benson State Library.
The old Studebaker factory is now part of Benson Convention Center, with plenty of space for exhibitions and with the Studebaker nightclub inside, one of the most popular clubs in town (note that the old neon sign is used as an ad for the club). Besides, the Aqua nightclub is also a very popular place during weekends. In front of it, the old Domino Sugars plant was reconverted into expensive loft flats, mostly occupied by liberal professionals and architects.
The city downtown is expanding, new skyscrapers are built from time to time. This new one, is built very near the single-family houses, making the nearby land value drop.
Benson doesn't only live of valves and logistics warehouses, important companies like AT&T have regional headquarters on it. The AT&T building is one of the tallest in Benson.
Benson City Hall is placed at the very city downtown, very near the first settlement founded by the Founders. Its plaza is a popular place for office workers to meet and have a coffee during breaks.
Very near the plaza, the main station can be found. Combined with the HSR station, it makes the Avenue of the Americas hub, as seen in the Simlympic updates. This station is the center of all the suburban and regional rail transit in the area.
Finally, a panorama of Avenue of the Americas, where almost all skyscrapers and tall buildings are aligned. What we usually call "The Downtown".
Still many industrial structures remain besides the rail mainline east of the station. The container terminal is still very active, meanwhile the orange cranes (nicknamed "Goodfellas" by the citizens) are unused these days.
The city railyard is another of these industrial remnants that is waiting for its demolition or historical conservation. In this case, it is still active, and, due to its placement, it's a popular place among railfans who enjoy taking pics to the shunting locos on duty.
It is usually said that there are only three sports in Benson: high school football, college football and professional football. This is obviously a lie, but football is lived with a special passion here right from the cradle.
The demonstration of how false is the above statement is the home of Benson Hawks, MLB team member of the American League West Division. Its retractable roof is very useful during the cold and windy October games.
Moving on to East Benson, all we can see are suburbs and some ritzy residential skyscrapers scattered here and there.
Riverfront properties are specially precious in Benson, they'd be like the dark blue boxes at Monopoly game, and Ingebretson Residence would be the box right next to the "Start".
East Benson is almost a city by itself, it even has its own town center, virtually the only place where commercial services can be found.
The 08080 Arena, home of Benson Express NFL team, will also host the V Winter Simlympics opening ceremony. It is well-known in the league as the noisiest venues, where away teams are more prone to false starts. Its architecture, combined with a passionate fanbase, makes the Express a very successful team on home games.
At the city outskirts, we can see one of those gigantic shopping malls. In this case, the largest in all the State of Benson. Definately the place to be during Black Friday after Thanksgiving or Super Saturday before Christmas.
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Hope you've enjoyed the tour!
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