SOLANO COUNTY, Calif. — In about a month, California Forever will be trying to get signatures for their initiative on a proposed new city to make the November ballot.
On Wednesday, in front of a small audience of supporters and media, the group behind California Forever released information on their ballot initiative. But some in the community were upset they weren’t allowed to attend.
On Thursday, ABC10 traveled to many cities in Solano County to hear opinions on the proposal to turn farmland into the potential new city, California Forever.
At the Rio Vista Bakery and Café, California Forever was a hot topic of conversation.
Mary Jane Charanuta has been teaching for 46 years, and she’s interested in the guarantees Flannery Associates is making for future generations. She said the local schools are at capacity, so it will be important for Flannery Associates to keep their promise to build new schools.
Walt Manos saw the new renderings, but said the ideas are too premature.
“We don’t like what's going on with our ranchers right now,” said Manos.
Traffic on Highway 12 is a big sticking point for many Solano County communities.
“I don’t know what they are talking about an off shoot. We have a major problem here, congestion every day,” said Manos.
The issue for many living in Rio Vista is that in order to get to California forever, people have to drive through their small town.
Knowing there will be extra traffic, California Forever is proposing an expansion of the busy highway and a new bypass.
In Suisun City, Gabriel Peseo, who hadn't heard of California Forever, was shown the maps for the project and the resident of 35 years reacted like everyone else.
“It will be crazy on the highway. How are they going to fit on the highway; they are going to block us completely,” said Peseo.
However, a look at the new renderings of the proposed downtown brought him around.
“Dinner, shopping yes, but they have to fix the highway,” said Peseo.
The same amenities caught a Vacaville resident's eye.
“I’m excited for it, just more stuff to do shopping, movie theatres," said Christina.
California Forever is launching a new series of town halls where you can ask questions. They also have an office in each city where you can go and see the plans for yourself.
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