California Forever: Paradise or Profit? You decide

[quaint]

Website of land around Travis AFB purchaser

https://californiaforever.com/

Solano County sits at the crossroads of Northern California. Nestled between Sacramento, the Delta, San Francisco, and Napa Valley, Solano perfectly captures the diversity of California’s landscapes and its people. It is the home of agriculture and green energy industries that sustainably feed and power our state, strong middle-class communities, and our nation’s busiest Air Force base. Eastern Solano County is also an area ready for a new community. We’re excited to tell our story.

California Forever is the parent company of Flannery Associates. Over the last few years, Flannery has purchased over 50,000 acres in Solano County. To date, our company has been quiet about our activities. This has, understandably, created interest, concern, and speculation. Now that we're no longer limited by confidentiality, we are eager to begin a conversation about the future of Solano County – a conversation with all of you. Like much of our state, Solano County faces many challenges - but also presents countless opportunities. Over the past few years, we have completed surveys and interviews with about 2,000 residents of Solano County and your voices were clear. Residents want more opportunities to buy homes in safe, walkable communities. Good paying local jobs, so they can both live and work in the county. Better funding to improve schools, promote public safety, and reduce homelessness, as well as resources to invest in infrastructure for transportation, water, and wildfire protection.

[Bobstandard]

1. In the end, it's just a billionaires real estate play.

I’m sure they see themselves as visionaries, but Disney did it first at Celebration in Florida, Del Webb did it all over the place, and right out Larry Ellison’s window he can see Foster City, the spawn of one Jack Foster, who also built developments on Oahu and elsewhere. Profitable ventures all.

Not that there’s anything wrong with profit. But the profit motive results in ‘market force pricing’. How many residents of Solano County, the decidedly blue collar cousin to Silicon Valley, will be able to afford to live there? No doubt there will be requirements that a certain amount of low cost housing be provided. After all, a some low wage service workers are required to keep the place running.

It would be nice if the ‘good paying local jobs’ came first, or concurrently. Instead development will begin with good paying construction jobs for workers commuting in from elsewhere. With some of the investors now requiring that their employees come to the office, oh, never mind. I’m having a cynical morning

[quaint]

3. Not cynical, you are being pro-people.

[Auggie]

2. Not a done deal. Opposition is mounting.

[quaint]

4. Good, I hope there is enough.