Supporters of a discreet Silicon Valley-backed ballot initiative aimed at constructing a new city on farmland located between Sacramento and San Francisco are unveiling further details of their plan as they submit necessary paperwork to qualify for the November election.
The initiative is spearheaded by California Forever, an entity that quietly acquired over $800 million worth of Solano County land in recent years. Their vision involves developing a new community spanning approximately 30 square miles between Travis Air Force Base and Rio Vista. Initially, the project intends to create nearly 20,000 residences for 50,000 residents, with the potential for expansion to accommodate up to 400,000 people. However, this expansion is contingent upon generating at least 15,000 jobs that offer above-average wages, according to the group.
The plans include a medium-density downtown area featuring rowhouses and apartment buildings, with convenient access to jobs, schools, bars, restaurants, and grocery stores, all within walking distance. However, the project hinges on approval from county voters due to protections established in 1984 to prevent the conversion of farmland into urban areas.
Jan Sramek, CEO and founder of California Forever, along with the project’s supporters, are resorting to the ballot initiative to move forward. To secure a place on the November ballot, they need to gather approximately 13,000 signatures from county voters.
The demand for housing in California and the San Francisco Bay Area is substantial, particularly for affordable homes aimed at essential workers such as teachers, firefighters, and police officers.
Solano County, located between the Bay Area and the state’s capital, is an attractive region for military contractors, agricultural technology firms, and construction tech companies seeking innovation opportunities, according to Gabriel Metcalf, the head of planning for California Forever. The initiative also aims to allocate $400 million to assist Solano County residents in purchasing homes in the proposed community.
Critics argue that existing cities like Vallejo and Fairfield could benefit from investment from Silicon Valley. They remain skeptical of Sramek and the project’s backers, including philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, and venture capitalist Marc Andreessen. Critics like Democratic U.S. Rep. John Garamendi question the feasibility of such a development, citing issues such as the location’s proximity to wind farms, gas fields, endangered species, lack of water, sanitation systems, and road infrastructure.
In sum, California Forever’s ambitious plans face a complex path ahead, requiring voter approval, addressing infrastructure challenges, and overcoming skepticism from various quarters.
