Silicon Valley-Backed New City Project Revives With Revised California Expansion Plan

Project Revival After Previous Setbacks

The ambitious California Forever initiative, backed by several prominent Silicon Valley billionaires, is reportedly making a comeback with a revised approach after facing significant local opposition last year. According to reports, the project had previously withdrawn a ballot initiative following community backlash, but now appears to be pursuing a different strategy by expanding existing cities rather than creating an entirely new municipality from scratch.

Project Revival After Previous Setbacks
Suisun Expansion Proposal Details
Vision for “The Next Great American City”
Environmental Review and Community Engagement
Revised Approach Following Community Feedback

Suisun Expansion Proposal Details

Sources indicate that California Forever recently submitted a formal application for what it calls the Suisun Expansion Project. The plan would expand the existing city of Suisun by approximately 22,000 acres, incorporating land adjacent to the massive Solano County parcels previously acquired by the development group. The expanded area would reportedly host new businesses, residential zones, and a specialized industrial park dubbed “the Solano Foundry.”

Analysts suggest this represents a significant shift in strategy from the project’s original vision. The development group described the proposed industrial zone as “a new home for frontier tech, an hour north of Silicon Valley” in statements previously shared with media outlets.

Vision for “The Next Great American City”

In a detailed thread posted to social media platform X, California Forever CEO Jan Sramek outlined the group’s renewed vision. “California used to do big things,” Sramek wrote. “From rockets in the Mojave to chips in Silicon Valley, California dreamed. California designed. California built. But then we stopped. To lead again, we need a place that can capture the imagination of the nation.”, according to related coverage

The report states that Sramek characterized the project as “the next great American city, an hour north of Silicon Valley.” He provided additional details, noting that the Suisun Expansion would include the Solano Foundry industrial area, a new downtown district, and walkable neighborhoods containing over 175,000 homes built over a 40-year development period.

Environmental Review and Community Engagement

Suisun City Manager Bret Prebula told SFGate that environmental review processes for the project would commence within 30 to 45 days. Prebula noted that during preliminary discussions, developers had “really listened” to local concerns about jobs, housing, transportation, and open space preservation., according to market analysis

The development group appears to be making concerted efforts to improve community relations, according to analysts. California Forever recently appointed Jim Wunderman, former longtime president and CEO of the Bay Area Council business advocacy group, as its head of public affairs. This move comes after the project weathered significant local controversies, including lawsuits with landowners and contentious public meetings.

Revised Approach Following Community Feedback

In statements previously shared with media, the development group acknowledged adapting their approach based on local input. “We heard from the Solano County community that they would prefer for the project to be built through annexation into an existing city,” the group stated, confirming they are working with both Suisun City and Rio Vista to implement this revised strategy.

A spokesperson emphasized that “California Forever is still proposing to build a new community in Solano County, and the Solano Foundry is part of that vision,” while noting that advanced manufacturing jobs have always been integral to the project’s conception.

The project’s revival represents one of the most ambitious urban development proposals in recent California history, though its ultimate fate will depend on regulatory approvals and continued community engagement efforts.