RIO VISTA, Calif. — California Forever released new details on its proposed Solano County city and their newly submitted ballot initiative coming to voters later this year.
The press conference provided the closest glimpse to date of California Forever CEO and investor group Flannery Associates Jan Sramek's vision for the proposed city and the promises made to try and make it happen.
The event was held in Rio Vista's Veteran Memorial Hall and was not open to the public but it was livestreamed, causing a crowd of farmers and other Solano County residents to wait outside the building.
"I think it was bad to exclude the community," said Kathleen Threlfall, a Montezuma Hills farmer who turned down offers to sell her family farmland. "So far they have not proven to be good neighbors."
Sramek and the team of developers, city planners and invited Solano County residents promised many things as part of the city plan and newly launched initiative which could end up on the November 2024 ballot if enough signatures (13,224) are gathered.
Officials described the proposed city as a mixed-use, walkable city spanning 18,600 acres between Travis Air Force Base and Rio Vista.
Gabriel Metcalf, head of planning on the project, says he's envisioning a variety of housing from apartments and rentals to townhouses and homes starting at or near $450,000 within walking distance of grocery stores, parks, schools and businesses.
"Every resident should be able to walk easily to all that good stuff," said Metcalf. "Downtown Rio Vista is exactly the kind of place we're trying to build more of."
The proposed city bumps up against Rio Vista with a buffer of what they're currently calling "Friendship Parks."
Rio Vista Mayor Ron Cott says, once there's an absolute guarantee the new city won't use county water, he will be on board.
"The impact is on us, the eastern part, but it’s the western part that’s going to decide if this projects gets approved or not," he said.
California Forever planners say only 30% of their 60,000 plus acres will be used for residential and 20% of the 18,600 acres in the city will be dedicated to parks, agriculture and green spaces. After being hotly contested on water management, they say there will be enough water through what's already on the land they own and purchasing water to bring into their city.
The project needs Solano County voter approval to actually see the light of day. The 83-page initiative released Wednesday details amending the county General Plan — approved by voters in the 80s — to change the zoning from agricultural to developmental.
Sramek says if they collect enough signatures, get on the November ballot and get their plan passed by voters, they could break ground in late 2026 if "aggressive" enough. He says they'll start with a 10,000 person community as a test and are willing to spend $2 billion on it before expanding further.
"The major initial phase is 50,000 (people), but if it gets momentum, it has the potential to be 400,000 (people),” said Metcalf.
The initiative, if approved, would cap the city at 50,000 people unless California Forever officials have at least 15,000 jobs at 125% the average county weekly wage. These jobs are "intended to be permanent," such as law enforcement, teachers, firefighters, transportation workers and more, according to Anyé Spivey, director of development planning.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, the average weekly wage in Solano County in the second quarter of 2023 was $1,283. That works out to about $61,584 a year. Under the 125% promised by California Forever, that's roughly $1,603.75 a week or nearly $77,000 a year if working full time.
The initiative also promises $700 million in grants for residents of the proposed city and existing residents in the county.
For the first 50,000 people in the city, California Forever promises:
- $400 million for down payment assistance for Solano County residents, Travis AFB families and construction workers
- $200 million for renovating buildings in existing downtown areas across Solano County
- $70 million for college scholarships and funds
- $30 million for parks, green spaces and agriculture across Solano County
They say the numbers will increase with every additional 50,000 people living in the city.
"The costs will be supported by the project, either by California Forever directly or by the people that are living within the community," said Spivey.
While increased taxes on Solano County residents are off the table, per the initiative promises, Spivey says taxes on people living in the proposed city could be impacted, along with grants to help with additional funding.
Even with the money and promises, some aren't convinced it's a good idea.
"They’ve certainly put plenty of money and time into their proposal but there are still huge, unresolved issues like traffic and I’m not sold," said Senator Bill Dodd. "If the measure qualifies, Solano County voters will get to weigh in on whether they think it’s a good idea. I hope decisions are based on facts, not slogans, misdirection and massive campaign spending. We shouldn’t gloss over very important public policy considerations that will have generational impacts."
The financial commitments and promises of jobs are legally binding due to the initiative. California Forever says they are "enforceable by the county." It is unclear what enforcement would look like.
To learn more about the plans for Highways 12 and 113, promises to "protect Travis Air Force Base" and more, click HERE.
View the renderings and planned site maps here:
California Forever city renderings, map designs
View the entire initiative here:
WATCH MORE: California Forever in Solano County, explained