The Billionaires’ Secret Plan to Solve California’s Housing Crisis

A secretive entity, Flannery Associates, has been purchasing vast swathes of land in Solano County, near the tech capital of Silicon Valley, sparking widespread intrigue and concerns over security due to its proximity to an Air Force base.

Speculation about who was behind it and their plans

Flannery Associates, which became the largest landowner in Solano County, acquiring a territory twice the size of San Francisco, has piqued the curiosity of local officials and residents. The nature of the transactions—with offers allowing farmers to remain on their land and collect income for years—indicated that the company had no immediate interest in developing or farming the land themselves. This, along with the premium prices paid, fueled speculation about the company's true intent.

Local authorities and concerned citizens have been probing into the identity of those behind Flannery Associates, especially since the company was incorporated in Delaware, a state well-known for stringent corporate privacy laws. The lawyer for Flannery Associates only revealed that the group represents wealthy families seeking to diversify their investments into farmland, leaving many unsatisfied with the vague explanation.

The land surrounds an Air Force base, raising security concerns

The location of the acquired land has intensified t ...

Their ambitious plan: build a dense, sustainable city to help solve California's housing crisis

Some of the wealthiest figures in Silicon Valley have secretly funded Flannery Associates to orchestrate an ambitious plan that could transform the state’s approach to its housing crisis.

Details of the proposed walkable, transit-oriented development

Jan Sramek is the project leader with a bold vision: to build an entirely new city from scratch on farmland in Eastern Solano County, twice the size of San Francisco. This venture aims to address the housing crisis head-on by offering a sustainable, community-driven solution. The city is designed to be dense, with rows of houses, ample bike lanes, and a peripheral bus system, creating an environment reminiscent of urban neighborhoods like Brooklyn where everything is within walking distance.

The project includes creating a new community featuring safe, walkable neighborhoods, quality employment opportunities, locally owned shops and businesses, and significant industry players, so it's economically beneficial to all. Additionally, the plan seeks to attract major employers and provide good-paying jobs within a community that not only has homes and amenities but also locally owned enterprises.

Project leader argues it will revive California's spirit of building ambitious projects

Jan Sramek, backed by high-profile Silicon Valley investors including Laurene Powell Jobs, Mark Andreessen, Michael Moritz, and Reid Hoffman, has rallied this effort. Sramek, disenchanted with Silicon Valley's sprawling blandness and acute housing issues, wants to revive California's ambitious building spirit.

Sramek highlights the urgency of the moment, pointing to escalating home prices and the exodus of working-class families from the state. He contends that California must once again embrace its history of bold undertakings to confront challenges such as homelessness. With almost a billion dollars of fu ...

Locals are reacting negatively to secretive land purchases by Flannery Associates that are transforming their farmland into a city, and there’s skepticism over whether the project can deliver on its promises.

Farmers and residents unhappy their land was purchased under false pretenses

Farmers and residents in the community are significantly unhappy about the lack of transparency surrounding the land deals conducted by Flannery Associates. The secretive manner in which the land was purchased, with the buyers' identities and intentions kept hidden, has raised suspicions among local farmers and residents. This secrecy led to discussions among the community members, who often had familial ties to the area spanning generations.

Some farmers have indicated that they might not have sold their land had they been aware of the planned use for it, highlighting their deep connection to the land's agricultural roots. One California farmer mentioned being named in a lawsuit along with 42 other individuals, simply because they own land, signaling the use of strong-arm tactics to acquire farmland.

At a town hall meeting, the use of a lawsuit against local farmers, who were opposed to the vision for the project, was questioned. A local farmer asked if the lawsuit would be dropped as a gesture of goodwill, which showcases the discontent with how the community's concerns are being handled by the developers.

Project faces skepticism it can deliver on promises

The developers face an uphill battle in gaining local support for the project. A charm offensive is deemed necessary as a county-wide vote is required to approve building in rural areas. The electorate must be convinced to vote in favor of the project through a proposed ballot initiative, needing them to place trust ...