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‘California Forever’ Project Put on Hold as Billionaire Backers Battle Locals

California Forever was meant to be a utopia for all, championing sustainability and improving the housing crisis in Solano County.

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1.

Sustainability

Affordable Housing

3.

2.

Safety and Walkability

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Background of the Project

Silicon Valley billionaires bought up $900 million worth of land from farmers starting in 2018. The investors backed the build for this futuristic city in Solano County, California but progress has been stalled by the locals.

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The Plan

In theory, the town would start from scratch and would be built around sustainability, avoiding car-centric designs and promoting reliance on renewable power.

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It would also provide affordable middle-class homes in walkable neighborhoods in an effort to combat the housing crisis in the Bay Area.

A "Startup City"

Too Good to be true?

Critics of the project argue that building on the agricultural land in this area threatens the soil and local biodiversity, leading to higher risk of pollution as opposed to the reduced carbon footprint that the project aims to achieve.

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Progress on Pause

California Forever pulled their ballot measure which would have granted them planning and zoning rights despite the measure qualifying with enough votes.

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Instead, the group now plans to submit their plans to local authorities for approval, claiming that it was a “mistake” to appeal directly to voters.

“This politicized the entire project, made it difficult for us and our staff to work with them and forced everyone in our community to take sides” - Mitch Mashburn, Solano County Supervisor

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Read More about the controversial California Forever Project here!

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