Article

2023-08-29 Economy

Silicon Valley titans behind mystery $1B land buy near California military base: reports

[NYP] The mystery buyers of nearly $1 billion of undeveloped land abutting a California military base were revealed to be Silicon Valley heavyweights — and not a network of Chinese spies as some lawmakers feared.

The land grab near Travis Air Force Base by Flannery Associates — which has become the largest landowner in Solano County, about 60 miles northeast of San Francisco — had prompted concern that a foreign entity could be using the investment to harm US national security.

However, it turns out Flannery’s backers are a who’s who list of tech titans and investors that includes LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman and Emerson Collective philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs, according to the New York Times.

The deep-pocketed investors reportedly plan to turn the land into their vision of an ideal city, featuring sustainable energy and a pedestrian-friendly layout.

Aside from Hoffman and Powell Jobs, Flannery’s investors reportedly include Marc Andreessen of the private venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, former Sequoia Capital partner Michael Moritz and Stripe co-founders Patrick and John Collison, as well as entrepreneurs Nat Friedman and Daniel Gross.

"We are proud to partner on a project that aims to deliver good-paying jobs, affordable housing, clean energy, sustainable infrastructure, open space and a healthy environment to residents of Solano County," Flannery spokesperson Brian Brokaw said in a statement obtained by the Wall Street Journal.

Posted by Besoeker 2023-08-29 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11131 views ] Top

#1 Silicon Valley heavyweights — and not a network of Chinese spies as some lawmakers feared.

The idea that American capitalists will sell their country for the previledge of trading in China is, obviously, inconceivable.

Posted by Grom the Reflective 2023-08-29 07:00|| 2023-08-29 07:00|| Front Page Top

#2 /\ "Inconceivable" to some possibly.

Posted by Besoeker 2023-08-29 07:05|| 2023-08-29 07:05|| Front Page Top

#3 I note that the goofy Getty family is involved. And that's the kiss of death.

Posted by Jerens Black9355 2023-08-29 08:31|| 2023-08-29 08:31|| Front Page Top

#4 They're also big on Governor Hairgel. Tie this to him

Posted by Frank G 2023-08-29 08:52|| 2023-08-29 08:52|| Front Page Top

#5 Could be the prequel to Logan's Run.

Posted by Enver Slager8035 2023-08-29 09:48|| 2023-08-29 09:48|| Front Page Top

#6 Curious

"Travis Air Force Base handles more cargo and passenger traffic through its airport than any other military air terminal in the United States."

Almost as if the CA tech elite is anticipating/precipitating a PACOM boom.

Posted by Skidmark 2023-08-29 09:57|| 2023-08-29 09:57|| Front Page Top

#7 Maybe this was the only property they could find not swarming with homeless people or some endangered land smelt thingie.

Posted by SteveS 2023-08-29 10:32|| 2023-08-29 10:32|| Front Page Top

02:32 Fairbanks
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