MARCH 2013 CENSUS

It's that time again! Another quarter has passed which means it is time for another census here in Holt District. A lot has happened this most recent quarter: the region has been booming under BoldNewHD, faced its first significant natural disaster in years and faced some, shall we say, "interesting" political mess formed. As usual, this census will feature update population figures for all municipalities for the region, including commercial and industrial statistics, and an updated region view. Growth boomed again this quarter, and the region hit a pretty massive milestone this time. Let's scroll down to see what it might be...






If you've never seen a census before, the data below is presented in a pretty format, since I like doing things that way. As mentioned, a major milestone was reached this past quarter - and furthermore there was a shakeup in the order of municipality size in terms of population. Manatee has fallen from second place after sitting there for its entire existence, and the regions existence. 2 towns are dueling for growth rate supremacy while the remainder of the list saw significant shake ups as well. This text blurb is also here so you get to see the pretty banner for the census, in addition to the pretty normal banners. Seriously.







We begin the census with statistics for the overall region. Holt District passed a major milestone this census - it surpassed the 1 000 000 in population mark for the first time. Overall the region grew by approximately 30% due in large part to suburban sprawl in the western parts of the region.









We move to the first municipality: Sherkston, which holds on to the title of largest city in Holt District. More condominium construction and several new single-family housing developments kept Sherkston on the growth train for yet another quarter.







Moving into second place after unseating Manatee is Kuhan. Kuhan more than doubled in size again this quarter. The town has grown thanks to huge amounts of single-family homes constructed and several condominiums near Everest Peaks. Kuhan did not, however, win the growth rate supremacy contest this quarter...






Falling to third place is Manatee. Manatee grew by a tiny 0.9% this quarter. This is a fair grwoth rate, especially after the destruction caused by the tornado which left approximately 5000 homeless.






Booming up to 4th place is the former Township of Saltfield - now the Town of Flynn! Flynn was the fastest growing municipality in Holt District this past quarter. The construction scene in the background is the new large-format arena being constructed as part of BoldNewHD.






Dofino put up solid numbers again this quarter, due in large part because of lower land price and new, affordable condos available close to its charming downtown core.







Shorecoast is reaching for 100 000 in population with these 2 large residential towers. The increase in population in the town is due nearly in all part from these towers. They provide excellent photo-taking opportunities...






Midport continues to grow after a modest decline in the first census that was published here. Growing by 25% the town continues to be a hotbed for single family homes and condominiums over looking the water.






To Norecount, we go! Norecount is facing sprawl, pushing its population up nearly 8%. In the background photo you can see the sprawl meeting an established neighbourhood.







We finish the statistical portion of this quarter's census update in Old Port which grew very modestly this quarter. With the developer of the planned community pre-occupied with sprawl in Kuhan and Flynn only a section of phase 3 was completed this quarter.







Of course, that's not the only part of this census update. It's time for an updated region view! Below are 2 region views - one displaying the region in all its awesomeness () and another with labels highlighting projects under construction as part of BoldNewHD. You will notice the region continues to sprawl out at a rapid pace. Especially in the west, where Everest Peaks and the surrounding development now grace the landscape. In the more developed portions of the region surrounding Manatee and Sherkston the region continues to fill out nicely.

Region View #1






Region View #2







That's it for this quarter's census! I hope you enjoyed the census and looking at the conitnuing growth of Holt District. Come back in late-June for another census update! What will happen this quarter? Nobody knows yet, but guessing continued growth wouldn't be a bad start.




Blake
Thanks! I like doing 1x1 developments, really represents sprawl well. Also glad you like the park!

111222333444
I did hear there was a shortage of fridges in Holt District. Maybe the residents will go out and catch one, and hopefully not go splat.

Republicmaster
Glad you like it!

mayorm
Will do! Look for it in your fake mail soon!

saathoff
You and me both!

titanicbuff
Will do - they'll be delivered soon!

Republicmaster
Glad you like it!

K50
As the post says, an abstract one.

111222333444
Who doesn't love dots?

HOLT UNIVERSITY TEASER

Holt District has been quiet recently, and will continue to be as I wrap up another semester.
So what could be more appropriate than a sneak peek of the future Holt University?



This is a memorial marker on the future campus, dedicated to the Holt Family who largely built this region in the beginning.






This is one of the many lecture hall complexes. Soon these will be filled with students glaring at their professors as they ramble on about... something.
Nobody quite knows what.






This is another complex, consisting of smaller classrooms for tutorials, seminars as well as several faculty offices. There are also, again, some lecture halls.
Currently the faculties of the Sciences, Engineering and Business School are being considered for this space as the major tenant.





...how many more quiet nights this campus will see remains unseen. But with students arriving this coming fall...
...and that's all we have for now. Thanks for sticking with Holt District during this quiet period. I hope to have activity pick up once again in a few weeks!

Thanks for putting up with the sporadic activity here recently!
RL has been hitting me hard the past few months. School has been crazy busy and other things have been falling on me like a bag of bricks. Things have let up enough though that Holt District full updates will finally be returning - and I'm not talking just teasers. Full updates are finally on their way back! Finals these past 2 weeks and the midterms saga at school have limited my time in SimCity to 0 hours, so I have a few things to do before getting an update out. But they're coming, and this is your notice that they are. So thanks to all of you for being patient with me, but RL has been a tad crazy. I'm super excited to get back to updating and to showing of Holt District to all of you again!

Holt Stadium Project

I'm baaaaaaaaaack!
After a long absence these past 3 months (I think there were only 2 full updates) things are finally returning to normal-ish for me (for now anyways ) so I finally have a new update to share! Today's update focuses on the new Holt Stadium project being constructed in Flynn, the former Township of Saltfield. Part of BoldNewHD, this project includes a brand new stadium, transit line to Kuhan and Sherkston and some new office space. In the future there will also be residential development. A lot is happening in the area, and several new projects are heard to be in the planning process. So let's go have a look and see what's happening in Holt District after an update drought.






22.1 | The new stadium area is polluted with cranes. With so many things under construction residents now enjoy "count the cranes" more than monopoly. You never know when a new one will crop up. This photo displays where the arena will eventually site. The arena itself will seat 50000 in various configurations. There is rumoured to be a football (ed. note: Canadian Football) franchise to opening up shop in the region, with this likely being its new home. There is also a rumour the arena will be convertible to hockey, though no official word on a franchise locating to the region yet. Rumours do point to one being housed in the Toyota Centre or Spengler Arena in Sherkston...






22.2 | Just to the north is a dual-tower office complex under construction. Someone had the hair-brained idea of doing the landscaping prior to building completion. Needless to say the walkways will need replacing by the finishing of construction.






22.3 | Over this way we find the home of more future office building. These will be medium-rise buildings. The developer of this complex is currently designing the next phases which will fill much of the grasslands around this section of the development.






22.4 | Here we see the construction of the future Embassy Suites hotel and parking garages for the arena and office buildings. To the left construction on the arena station will begin soon, once construction on the arena progresses a little further.






22.5 | With all this change on the horizon some people will undoubtedly be unhappy. Several residents of Flynn near the development are unhappy with the dust and noise of construction and the traffic the complex will bring once it begins to open. But change isn't easy to swallow for more people, and there is more on the horizon for these people.






22.6 | To the south of the arena a proposal has been approved, by Flynn town council and under BoldNewHD, for a new mega-regional shopping centre. Some residents, of course, were up in arms about this decision. However there is a chronic lack of retail in the region as it has not kept up with demand and residential development in recent time.






22.7 | And this arena project and mall are just the tip of the iceburg as it is. A zoomed out view of the arena construction gives you an idea of how little is currently underway. Sooner or later, all that land will be developed as mid to high density status. Change is coming, and some residents are unhappy. But, you take a risk when moving to Holt District. And that risk is your quiet neighbourhood will soon be neighbouting skyscrapers.






22.8| The change will continue, too. Holt District council, in association with Sherkston, Kuhan, Flynn and Manatee municipal councils have approved an intensification development zone. This zone encompasses the outer edges of the current municipalities, with key developments already in planning or underway making up the boundaries of this zone. This zone will be only allowed to develop as mid to high density construction going forward, with an emphasis of "cove" developments, with each "cove" being surrounded by new, man-made lakes and lush vegetation. Developers are drooling at the thought... this land is very much in demand and this planning amendment has opened up new, affordable and attractive development styles.








K50
Grow skyscrapers? Me? Not often. Though demand was high enough to allow towers of that size to grow, but then I'd have to wait for the right ones show up at the right times.

titanicbuff
It's a nice little place, for sure.

Blake
Thanks - it's one of my favourite features of the map!

K50
Glad you are - a little while longer for HoltU update, but lots to show until it's ready!

111222333444
It just may have one - you never know when those will come in handy!

titanicbuff
Hope it was worth the wait!

[size=14pt]Manatee Rebuilding[/size]

After a damaging tornado, parts of Manatee are finally recovering. After being embroiled in a scandal, many rebuilding projects were delayed but have since gotten back on track. Some however, remained delayed. Some residents have finally started rebuilding their lives, thanks to the Government of Orchidsen getting involved in the insurance scandal. Today we take a look back to the destruction and where some of the rebuilding projects stand today, and how the community was affected.






23.1 | A strip-mall of big-boxes once stood here. After the tornado only Dick's Sporting Goods remained. The store, which required only minor repairs, opened 2 weeks after the tornado, only to liquidate. The owner of the land eventually bought out their lease. Stores on either side were destroyed.






23.2 | This residential area was greatly affected by the twister with a large swath of houses being destoyed. The tornado delayed the road extension to Norecount project, one estimated to reduce congestion on other arterial roads and within the residential neighbourhood.






23.3 | An industrial park was destroyed as well, this one housing several high-tech industries and manufacturers. The lush forest in the area were uprooted. Condos were destroyed, with the neighbouring buildings that weren't flattened later condemned.






23.4 | Today, though, rebuilding has started. Houses are under construction. The first phase of the Norecount avenue extension has also been completed, though sounds walls, landscaping and another project are to come.






23.5 | A closeup of the reconstruction. Houses are at varying stages, with many sharing a common design. Several developers have offered their services for discounted rates, with designs similar to houses which once stood.






23.6 | What this image shows is something that continues to startle residents. While some houses sate perfectly fine, ones just metres away were destroyed and are now being rebuilt.






23.7 | And to finish off: X... marks the spot? But what does it mark, exactly? Do my earlier tweets (@HoltDistrict) have anything to do with it?









Titanicbuff
Thanks!

The evolution of Holt District is taking another step forward today, with the announcement the region will begin rolling out a new LRT system. The new system is part of the BoldNewHD transit segment of initiatives. This segment is meant to improve traffic flow throughout the region. Today's presentation outlines a few key features of the new system and some of the steps it will be taking in improving regional transit as a whole. The new system will, when completed, span the entire region. Using a mix of urban, suburban and rural lines in addition to road-top and non-road-top lines, the system will begin as a new piece of the transit puzzle in Holt District. It will also be phasing out the EL-Rail system, gradually replacing that particular system. The region expects this to be a viable alternative to the automobile when used in tandem with planned bus service expansions.





Neighbourhood stations will icrease the access to transit in residential areas and increase the easibility to traverse the entire region.







Road-top routing will allow transit lines to get closer to your final destination and increase the areas served without consuming valuable real-estate in urban areas.







The new LRT system will replace the existing EL-rail system. In most cases the LRT system will take the existing footprint, but in some cases the system will take the closest available road-top routing in urban areas and where practical.




That's it for today's announcement about the Holt District LRT system. We will definitely be seeing more LRT construction as time goes on.