Yeah, sorry about the additional wait.
Holding out for fixes to the updates and proper implementation of features. Really, besides some rough biomes, SMP is exactly the same thing as before.
I'm as anxious as anyone to get this thing going again.
EDIT: Though I will admit I've put the server up briefly to see if the performance/lag continued. The lag stopped, so that must have been me despite my speedtest results still being normal.
Confusing.
I've done some additional work alone, just a small amount.
Flattening the immediate area is going okay.

The spawn is pretty well done. Might need some decorating but not much.

We don't need to flatten a massive area or anything. Just a big one for a small central area.
But I would prefer that most areas do get flattened and evened out. Looks more attractive. Adds to the work but it's worth it in the end.
As for the station, I'd like it to look a little something like this but not completely.

I'll keep thinking about it. Mostly I just like the pillars and the use of half blocks.
We need more building blocks that are made out of basic materials but look different for aesthetic purposes.
Notch at one point also said he'd love to let us paint blocks as well.