FAIRFIELD, Calif. — Fairfield Mayor Catherine Moy is willing to partner with Flannery Associates as they try to create a new city, California Forever, in Solano County.
It's a big announcement in multiple ways. First, Fairfield is looking into redevelopment options but the mayor is also giving them an opportunity to prove their commitment to the community.
“If they really want to show us what they can do, we've got what they need. We've got spots,” said Moy.
Moy is proposing a partnership between the city of Fairfield and Flannery Associates. The company is trying to build a new city on 52,000-plus acres of farmland in Solano County.
“They could truly do a lot to help Solano County if they cared really about what's going on here. We have a lot that they could invest in and change the face of Fairfield. We have a whole city block down; they're welcome to come and develop for a little project to show us what you can do. We welcome them. I welcome them to work with us,” said Moy.
Moy is offering two sites, a demolished city block down the street from city hall near Texas Street.
“We're working with the owners of Solano mall down here. And we are going to reconfigure that whole thing into a living area, recreation, the whole thing,” said Moy.
She says what Fairfield wants for that space aligns with what Flannery Associates wants to do, which includes green space, walkability to grocery stores and cafes.
Moy offered development in an area with existing infrastructure, water, power and roadways, which is everything California Forever lacks on their purchased acres near Travis Air Force Base.
“The infrastructure is going to break them. I don't think it's realistic, but they're talking about it and so it makes me skeptical and others skeptical about, really, what is it that they're trying to do," she said.
Moy said it would be an equal partnership – and she is not supporting California Forever until assurance about Travis Air Force Base and water resources have been given. She also remains skeptical due a lack of transparency about their investors.
“We're not a play thing,” said Moy.
Flannery Associates provided the following statement to ABC10:
“We are soliciting input from leaders and residents all over the county, and have met with Mayor Moy directly. We look forward to working with the Mayor and others throughout the community to find common ground on projects that will benefit the entire county.”
This week, all Solano County voters will be receiving a letter from Flannery associates CEO Jan Sramek and a survey.
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