The Silicon Valley magnates leading an enigmatic, $1 billion land purchase near a California Air Force base are facing accusations of utilizing aggressive and intimidating tactics in order to pressure residents into selling their land. Local officials are determined to oppose their plans of constructing a futuristic city, stating that they will not allow it to move forward without a fight. Flannery Associates, a group comprised of LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs, and venture capitalist Marc Andreessen, have utilized a federal price-fixing lawsuit against reluctant landowners to attain 55,000 acres in Solano County close to the military base. However, these deep-pocketed backers may encounter a costly and complex political battle as they attempt to secure the necessary approvals for their project in an inhospitable area lacking infrastructure. Congressman John Garamendi, who represents the district including the base, expressed his astonishment at the group’s plans and raised concerns about their integrity and commitment to protecting Travis, the base. Flannery Associates managed to acquire the largest amount of land in Solano County since 2018 through a highly secretive process that initially raised suspicions that China had acquired the land for nefarious purposes. The mayor of Fairfield, Catherine Moy, stated that her office is exploring every possible avenue to block Flannery’s plans, with the majority of individuals expressing opposition to the project. Garamendi and Moy both claimed that they only became aware of the group’s backers upon reading recent news reports. Moy further asserted that she did not believe the billionaires behind the project at face value and considered the whole endeavor to be a threat. Flannery filed a federal lawsuit in May alleging that a group of landowners had violated the Sherman Antitrust Act by conspiring to drive up the price of their property. While three owners announced a potential settlement with Flannery in July, other families filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. Flannery will need the approval of the local board of supervisors to change the zoning regulations, which were initially implemented to protect Travis. Additionally, they will need to secure approvals from the regional branch of the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) and adhere to federal regulations related to the environment and endangered species in the area. Even with all the necessary approvals and land acquisition, Flannery will likely have to invest billions of dollars into new infrastructure, including improving the dangerous highway currently servicing the area. Garamendi questioned whether Flannery fully informed their investors about the numerous challenges they would face. The group has also begun seeking support through a referendum, conducting a “push poll” with Fairfield residents to gauge their opinion regarding the project’s potential placement on the ballot in the following year. Garamendi emphasized the importance of the county’s zoning requirements in protecting Travis and criticized the “push poll” as a strategic move by Flannery to pave the way for their initiative. Flannery spokesperson Brian Brokaw stated that the group is engaged in productive discussions with local leaders and is working closely with the community to craft a shared vision for Solano County’s future. The group’s origins were investigated in July by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US (CFIUS) at the request of Garamendi and Congressman Mike Thompson. Flannery aims to downplay concerns about its origins by asserting that the majority of funding came from American investors, with the remaining portion coming from British or Irish backers. Moy, however, declared that Flannery is about to face a challenging battle and emphasized that the community will politically fight against the project by engaging with residents and raising awareness.
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