Background


On September 30, 2008, the Solano County Board of Supervisors voted to conduct a visioning process for the future of the Solano County Fairgrounds. The cooperative effort between the County and City of Vallejo explored a range of potential land uses and economic development opportunities for the future of the 149-acre property. Out of this Visioning Process came the Solano360 Vision Report, which was unanimously approved by the County and City on June 9, 2009 (click here to read staff reports).

The Visioning Process integrated nine months of intensive community outreach, design and planning concepts, and site analysis. The process was made possible through project funding by Solano County and was conducted under the direction of the Solano360 Committee, a joint County-City group comprised of two members of the Solano County Board of Supervisors and three members of the Vallejo City Council.

Planning for the future of the Fairgrounds property has been a priority for nearly a decade. On July 25, 2000, the Solano County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution directing the development of a common vision for the redevelopment of the Fairgrounds property, located at the intersection of I-80 and Hwy 37 in Vallejo, California. The resolution cited the desire to support the continuation of the annual Fair as well as explore better utilization of the Fairgrounds.

In 2004, Solano County selected the Mills Corporation as the Master Developer to help revitalize the Fairgrounds. The agreement with Mills was eventually terminated in 2006.

Today, with the annual Fair down from ten to five days a year, a trend of declining attendance and aging facilities, the redevelopment and reenergizing of the 149-acre property is more crucial than ever. The approved vision has the potential to create a unique place with an unmistakable identity, a mix of land uses, connectivity and synergy with other Vallejo features, and pedestrian-friendly, sustainable green design.