For years, a group of investors linked to large technological ones in the United States was acquiring, at all secret, agricultural lands in northern California. The magnitude of the operation – more than 20,000 hectares in Solano County – and the anonymity of the buyers aroused all kinds of speculation: from the installation of a new theme park to undercover operations of the Chinese government.
Only in August 2023, an investigation by New York Times unveiled who were behind: it is about California Forevera conglomerate backed by heavyweights such as Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn), Laurene Powell Jobs (Steve Jobs widow), Marc Andreessen (Andreessen Horowitz), the founders of Stripe and other relevant names of the tech and financial world. The project, valued in more than U $ 800 millionplans to lift a completely new city, from scratch, on land surrounding localities such as Río Vista and Fairfield.
An “ideal city” with Silicon Valley aroma
The promoter of the project is Jan Samekformer Goldman Sachs, who managed to add the main actors in the US risk capital. According to the Official Site of California Forever, the initiative seeks to create a “friendly, sustainable and modern” city, with streets designed for pedestrians and cyclists, accessible homes, local jobs and respect for the environment.
The proposal is tempting, especially in a state like California where access to housing has become a structural crisis. But the secrecy with which the purchase of land and the lack of a concrete urban plan was gatged on the alarms.
Local politicians, such as Democratic congressmen Mike Thompson and John GaramendiThey showed their concern about the method chosen to advance with the initiative. “What they have done is poison the well,” Garamendi said, after confirming that they were deceived for years about the identity of the buyers.
An inclusive city or an enclave for millionaires?
Although the promoter group ensures that the objective is to build an inclusive community, many neighbors and authorities fear that it is a project thought exclusively for technological eliteswhich would further deepen social and urban fragmentation in the region.
“Is it really about resolving the housing crisis or creating a boutique city for billionaires?” Authorities wonder like Princess Washingtoninterim mayor of Suisun City. Fear is not unfounded: among the names that promote the initiative there are those who already proposed in the past ideas of utopian cities with “minimum regulation” and private governance.
In addition, the acquired lands almost completely surround Río Vista, a town with just 10,000 inhabitants and a population mostly aged. For its mayor, Ronald Kottthe project could bring development, but also Collapse in infrastructureincreased traffic and pressure on basic resources such as water.
A long way ahead … if you manage to advance
For the plan to be completed, the group must convince voters of Solano County that authorize the urban use of the land, protected since 1984 by norms that prevent such developments. Without that modification, everything would be in a millionaire dream impossible to realize.
California Forever has already started a public campaign: he sent surveys to all the county homes and promised to open local offices. It also plans to establish a citizen advisory council. But for now, There are no concrete dates, nor plans, nor available environmental impact studiesjust a “vision.”
Source: Ambito
