California Forever, a ambitious project backed by tech billionaires to construct a new city in the Bay Area, has encountered significant obstacles, including failing to submit preliminary applications for key developments despite months of meetings with local officials. The group, funded by figures such as Marc Andreessen, Reid Hoffman, Michael Moritz, and Patrick Collison, is now seeking special legislation to advance its plans before the state legislative session concludes at the end of August.
Solano County officials stated that no preliminary application for a proposed shipyard project in the Collinsville area has ever been received. Debbie Vaughn, assistant county administrator for Solano County, told The California Post that weekly meetings with California Forever have been ongoing since the beginning of the year regarding the shipyard, which was once considered a potential site for defense startup Saronic's $3.2 billion Port Alpha project. Saronic ultimately withdrew its plans and opted to build in Texas last month.
California Forever contended that the county's conventional approval process, which could involve nine to 12 months for environmental reviews followed by potential years of litigation under the California Environmental Quality Act, presented an unacceptable timeline for prospective employers like Saronic. The startup had indicated a need to begin construction on an autonomous shipyard in 2026.
Despite these setbacks, California Forever, which envisions not only a shipyard but also a manufacturing hub and a walkable city for an estimated 400,000 residents, is lobbying heavily in Sacramento. The venture has acquired tens of thousands of acres in eastern Solano County over several years. The group has enlisted former legislative leaders Darrell Steinberg and Bob Hertzberg to aid in its lobbying efforts.
Governor Gavin Newsom's administration has been actively supporting California Forever's ambitions. Dee Dee Myers, director of the governor’s GO-Biz economic development office, previously issued a memo highlighting the project's potential for job creation, housing, and national security benefits. Newsom himself met with California Forever CEO Jan Sramek in April.
However, securing legislative backing remains uncertain. State Senator Christopher Cabaldon, whose district includes the proposed development, has expressed concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding the project and developers relying on an environmental report that is nearly two decades old. Cabaldon's office indicated that draft legislation has not yet been shared with him, and he emphasizes the need for a transparent and democratic process, particularly given the sensitive environmental nature of the waterways.
Assemblywoman Lori Wilson, whose district could also be impacted, has not been approached by California Forever to carry legislation this year. While Wilson is working to enhance Solano County's competitiveness in shipbuilding, her office believes that annexation and development should adhere to existing laws and due process, suggesting a potential opposition to special legislation.
Opponents of California Forever, such as Mark Reed, chairman of the Solano County Republican Party, believe the shipyard proposal was never a serious endeavor and was used to garner public support for the larger city project. They argue that the shipyard and Saronic's departure have served as a distraction from the substantial infrastructure costs, including electricity, water, and roadways, required for the proposed city.
California Forever has also pursued annexation of its land into Suisun City to navigate city and LAFCO approval processes, bypassing a potential countywide vote. Without a legislative breakthrough or local rezoning, the project faces a prolonged development path and significant financial risk.