[size=18pt]WELCOME TO THE FIRST HD OSITM UPDATE![/size]

Happy New Year! 2013 will be off to a rocking start here in Holt District! We have the census coming up and also have the BoldNewHD announcement to look for. There will also be more updates than usual, because Holt District is OSITM (Of Special Interest This Month) over at SC4Devotion! So some of the celebrations will spill over here.

So, let's get on with this show! Today's update takes place in Midport. During the last census period (January-September) Midport was being the only municipality in Holt District to have a population decline. Albeit it was only 0.1%. Since then, though, Midport has been booming. Today we take a look at Midport before and during the current boom. By now, I'm sure you're bored of my blabbing, so let's finally get to the pictures.




[size=18pt]Midport Rising[/size]



15.1 | Midport has long lagged in development, more recently is became the least booming municipality in the region after the boom started in Old Port. It is quite mysterious to outsiders why this area hasn't been developed yet. But to locals...






15.2 | ...locals know why the waterfront remained undeveloped. This stretch of the waterfront also remains undeveloped. Despite the massive traffic carrying capabilities, this area is deserted. The town council of Midport has long blocked the majority of any proposed developments. This came after the election of a different mayor and several new conucillors, who were staunchly against development despite campaigning on responsible development. To them, obviously, responsible was none at all...






15.3 | The previous council to the current anti-development was very much in favour of development. Development ran rampant, increasing population from 5000 to over 30000. The elevated rail lines were extended by the region at the request of Midport council to allow for a future midrise development. This never panned out, and so today this station sits in the middle of nowhere...






15.4 | One of the reasons citizens voted for a council of responsible-developmet candidates was this development. Constructed without public consultation, it was the last straw for many.






15.5 | But recently, changes have started. A new council was elected - no candidate was reelected. Residents saw the writing on the wall - with BoldNewHD scheduled to come into effect, more planning power is given to the region. While municipalities still have the say in which developments go through or not the planning regulations have dramatically changed. Rather than fight this plan, which many former candidates proposed, the elected candidates campaigned on controlling the look of developments and creating a cohesive waterfront - the area likely to be targeted. That option won out, and development has since boomed. This development was recently completed...






15.6 | While the development is reminiscent of the large condo project just to the south, the buildings are more attractive and the development kept a significant portion of trees along the oceanfront.






15.7 | The development also worked around the small natural ponds of the area, as opposed to back filling them for more housing.






15.8 | The above development is not the only recent addition to Midport. Curved, a 3-tower development, has taken the centre stage of the developing Midport Skyline. It is expected to be the centre of the new oceanfront condo/commercial zone of Midport.






15.9 | Near Curved this construction site again protects trees along the watefront. This area, deemed Port Shops, will house several high-class retailers and local shops alike. It is expected to, for the first time, draw tourists to Midport.






15.10 | Perhaps the most dramatic change to Midport will occur with the development of Baytide Condominiums. To be comprised of 4 massive towers, the development will blockout the ocean view to many, but provide a pristine view to many more. A 1 bedroom unit will set you back upwards of $700 000 - and that's not facing the ocean.






15.11 | Lastly, to finish with a bang, this stunning (IMO ) night view of the Curved Condominium development and some of the surrounding area.







That's it for today! I hope you've enjoyed today's update! Until next time!





cheeseguy
Glad you think so!

titanicbuff
You'd have to ask whoever brought it.

cheese
That's very possible.

Aco
"Attention Walmart shoppers... We're closed. Get out already!!"

Republic
Thanks! Hope you had a Merry Christmas.

Frex_Ceafus
Glad you liked them!

mayorm
I think so too, it`s when lot of creativity comes out.

K50
Some towns around where I am have developments exactly like that. You could touch your neighbour`s house from your window.

cheese
Thanks

mayorm
Who doesn't? Though that's a Lowes, not a Walmart.

K50
I got fristrated and worked on a different part of the region, which turned into today's update. Good trade off, I think.

111222333444
The Sims themselves, towns, stores?

CoastRunner
Exactly what I thought. Glad you liked the update!

Cheeseguy
"Hi yea, I'd like a 2x4 with a side of screws."

Republic
LOL indeed.

111222333444
Ours doesn't. Though it does have a SecondCup. So does the Home Depot just down the street.
I remember a long time ago our Canadian Tire had a Tim Hortons...



Stay tuned because there is lots coming this way! The Holt District December 2012 (appearing in Jan '13 ) Census and BoldNewHD announcement, all coming soon!

A bold new plan to develop a bold new Holt District.




BoldNewHD will create a massive change in Holt District. Every possible thing that can be changed will ultimately be. Planning and development. Transit. Jobs and recreation. Healthcare and education. Entertainment and shopping. Everything is going to change. The sleepy region Holt District started as when this MD began will be swallowed up. It is becoming a world-class region. By the time all the aims of this project are completed, the region will have been transformed into a modern metropolis. The region is already booming, with developments popping up seemingly daily. Some are well thought out, others are not. Some planning guidelines are fuzzy, leading to mis-matching areas.

With this plan, a major aim to develop the region cohesively and introduce new landmarks which will draw people, professionals, scholars and tourists alike to the region. With this plan, development will be accelerated and embrace to keep up with the massive demand. The plan will for the first time open industrial development to the region. But most important, it will try to create cohesive "zones" that make logical sense. In essence, to control sprawl. While the region will undoubtedly sprawl, this plan will control it as much as possible into logical layouts.

As you can see, the plan covers 8 major areas of focus: transit, entertainment, development, shopping, education, healthcare, recreation and jobs. Below an outline of each focus area is given below. For the full descriptions visit the plans site: http://boldnewhd.weebly.com

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FOCUS AREAS:

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TRANSIT:
The strength of any region is based upon its' transportation system. As Holt District grows, we need to ensure our network of roads, highways and public transportation meets the needs of our growing region. The previously announced HDHIP project is a start, increasing access to the western and southern portions of the region. But we need to keep going. A region-wide public transit system needs to be developed. The efficiency of the highways need to be continuously evaluated. Local roads need to be widened and maintained so transportation within the region moves as fast as possible.

For more information on transit visit: http://boldnewhd.weebly.com/transit.html

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ENTERTAINMENT:
The creation of new entertainment venues will help draw tourists to Holt District and expand our already growing tourist industry. The expansion of the tourist industry will lead to the creation of thousands of permanent positions, plus thousands more in construction. This includes the construction of a large-format arena, multi-purpose arena. A world-class golf course is on the docket to bring avid golfers and pro-tournaments to the region. The region is also in negotiations to sell a plot of land to a theme park operator for the creation of the first amusement park in any of the 5 regions nearest Holt District.

For more information about entertainment, visit: http://boldnewhd.weebly.com/entertainment.html

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DEVELOPMENT:
Creating a cohesive regional layout is imperative. Having everything residents need nearby, placing residential in attractive areas and developing industry near major transportation corridors is imperative. Without these basic principals the region would enter into chaos. Demand in the region is so high that even the current pace is not keeping up with demand. So this plan increases the rate of development while also controlling it. There will be more residential development. To keep up with commercial office demand, a new CBD will be founded. The density of many new developments will also increase. In order to keep the character of the region, some developments will be built in the current density style.

For more information on development visit: http://boldnewhd.weebly.com/development.html

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SHOPPING:
This plan aims to attract new retailers to Holt District through the opening of land for retail development. The plan comprises of several different types of development, including urban shopping destinations, expanded mall space and develop more convenience-based retailing for the region's permanent residents. The main aims of this segment include the construction of the 1000000+ sq.ft. Plaza Mall, The Sherkston Shopping District and expanding the overall retail footprint of the area.

For more information on shopping visit: http://boldnewhd.weebly.com/shopping.html

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EDUCATION:
The paramount of advancing a region is its education. As such the region aims to improve public education through facility expansions and renovation, training programs for teachers and new programs for students. The region is also evaluating lobbying for a satellite campus for a post-secondary education institute, or the establishment of a new university all together.

For more information on education visit: http://boldnewhd.weebly.com/education.html

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HEALTHCARE:
The Holt District Regional Government intends to make sure the health care system in the region continue to provide residents with the services required. The region together with the province is working toward the construction of new healthcare facilities, expansion of existing facilities and bringing new treatment centers to the region through the province's public health care system. The Region will maintain its already high-level of health care service.

For more information on healthcare visit: http://boldnewhd.weebly.com/healthcare.html

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RECREATION:
The region will keep the good times rolling for the region's residents! Without recreation services the region would not be able to attract residents that are driving all other sectors of the economy. The region intends to expand parkland, construct new sports complexes and construct new indoor arenas.

For more information on recreation visit: http://boldnewhd.weebly.com/recreation.html

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JOBS:
The region will continue to attract employment to the region through low taxes, available space and tax breaks to certain industries. The region will also for the first time allow the construction of industrial zones to attract greater number of companies and new residents.

For more information on jobs visit: http://boldnewhd.weebly.com/jobs.html

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Whew, that was a lot of text! As you can see the region will become dramatically different than it currently is. Just about everything will be changed, and no section of land will be the same by the time this project has wrapped up. I look forward over the coming months to share with you projects will fall under this plan, and show you the BOLDNEWHD!


Again, this post was only a summary. For full information visit:
boldnewhd.weebly.com

There is a lot of awesome information on the site, so I really strongly encourage you to check it out!






Look for #BOLDNEWHD on twitter







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