The Trump administration has launched an effort to revitalize the U.S. shipbuilding industry. The popular proposal aims to reduce reliance on foreign governments like China and boost America’s manufacturing sector. As it turns out, the push could also open a back door to California Forever, the billionaire-backed ‘mega city’ project in Solano County.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that California Forever representatives are considering a large shipbuilding operation near the unincorporated town of Collinsville. Not only could the plan help bring their smart city dreams to fruition, but they might get federal infrastructure funds to boot.
Re-Cap: The Rise and Fall of a Smart City Dream
The California Forever project first came to light in 2023, five years after Flannery Associates, LLC began purchasing over 50,000 acres of real estate in eastern Solano County. The land acquisitions were done with very little transparency, and Flannery ended up taking some landowners to court over anti-trust claims.
The group’s methods squandered any goodwill they may have had. By the time Flannery detailed its plans for “one of the most walkable and sustainable communities in the United States,” it faced a wall of opposition.
Flannery needed to put its city-building plans before voters, so it began working hard to court residents and regain trust. Then came a county study which found that California Forever would cause annual deficits of $103 million for the county and $88.8 million for the fire district, plus $6.7 million in yearly losses from the rezoning of agricultural land. Faced with impossible headwinds, the billionaires behind California Forever pulled the initiative from the November 2024 ballot.
The Search for Plan B
Flannery has already spent over $1 billion acquiring land in Solano County. Needless to say, the group isn’t going away. Since putting the ballot measure on hold, they’ve been turning to cities for a possible partnership.
In January, Suisun City said it was considering expanding its boundaries and annexing much of the land owned by Flannery. The move could allow California Forever to bypass the need for a county-wide referendum. Shortly after, the City of Rio Vista made a similar announcement.
The shipbuilding idea is the latest attempt to chart an alternative course for the project. California Forever’s original plans did not include a maritime component. But the 1,400 acres of land Flannery owns on the Sacramento River jibes with the federal government’s shipbuilding push. President Trump will soon sign an executive order creating a new office of shipbuilding and offering tax incentives for shipbuilders. Additionally, there is bipartisan legislation pending in Congress that would fund the rebuilding of shipyards to revitalize the maritime industry.
California Forever’s shipbuilding facility would be constructed about two miles east of Collinsville. The area is currently zoned for maritime industrial use — a fact Solano County Supervisor Mitch Mashburn says he brought up to Flannery in November. Mashburn’s support for a shipbuilding complex does not mean he’s on board with the plans for a mega city, he said. According to the group, the shipbuilding complex would be an addition to its smart city plan.
A Hopeful But Uncertain Future
The billionaires behind California Forever still face skepticism, but their maritime plans have been met with at least some acceptance. State Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) has offered her support.
“Solano County’s rich maritime history and strategic location position it uniquely to help restore America’s shipbuilding strength and enhance California’s role in supporting national security,” she said in a quote from the Chronicle.
Rio Vista Mayor Edwin Okamura confirmed he has spoken to California Forever representatives, county officials, and military leaders about the project.
California Forever’s future remains uncertain. What is clear, is that the group isn’t giving up—and its persistence could reshape Solano County’s landscape in unexpected ways.