Seize the Day: From Vision to Vitality

From Infrastructure to Transportation, This Civic Gem Has it All

 

You can arrive in Suisun City by boat, train, car, bicycle, or on foot—an uncommon distinction that captures the spirit of a city built on access, opportunity, and openness. For a city of just over 30,000, Suisun continues to exceed expectations, blending a protected natural landscape with bold infrastructure investments, and community pride with forward-looking leadership. Over the past year, the city has taken significant steps to secure its future, launching long-term strategies that reflect a deep commitment to resilience, equity, and inclusive growth.

“We’ve adopted a new five-year strategic plan after months of deep community and council engagement,” says City Manager Bret Prebula. “It’s more than just words on paper—it’s a commitment to action.”

The strategic plan is just one part of a broader transformation. Alongside it, Suisun City introduced a comprehensive economic development strategy and implementation plan focused on infill development, aimed at building resiliency by maximizing the city’s underutilized land.

“This is the beginning of us pushing hard to do great infill development to help the resiliency of Suisun in the future,” Prebula explains. “We’re creating a roadmap that reduces reliance on external funding and builds internal strength.”

Leadership That Reflects the Community

For Mayor Alma Hernandez, Suisun’s progress is anchored in visionary leadership. As the first Latina mayor in Solano County, Mayor Hernandez leads a city council that reflects the rich diversity of the city it serves.

“We formed an Economic Advisory Committee made up of regional experts—not just local business owners,” Mayor Hernandez says. “It’s designed to provide our city manager with a team of thought partners who can help fine-tune ideas before they even reach council. That way, we’re not just making policy—we’re making informed, strategic decisions.”

Suisun has also invested in legislative advocacy, hiring a Sacramento-based firm to represent the city’s interests at the state level for the first time in recent history. Meanwhile, its beautification efforts have expanded with the establishment of a new illegal dumping team and an empowered, community-driven beautification committee, now tasked with launching initiatives such as a city-wide mural program.

Balancing Growth with Environmental Responsibility

Suisun City is situated beside one of the only federally protected marshes in Northern California, a fact that lends both beauty and complexity to the city’s planning.

“It’s an interesting juxtaposition,” Prebula says. “You have this urban development next to a natural gem. We can’t be a San Jose, and we can’t be rural Napa—we’re both. That makes planning harder, but it also makes us special.”

Environmental resilience is just as crucial as economic resilience. In recent years, Suisun has revamped citywide lighting and HVAC systems to improve energy efficiency, earning a Climate Action Award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors. The city also partnered with The Nature Conservancy to conduct forward-thinking resiliency planning related to sea level rise, an issue that looms large for any waterfront community.

Designing the Next Chapter

Much of Suisun’s transformation hinges on what happens next, specifically, how the city approaches infill and annexation. Among its most exciting opportunities is a 34-acre plot of land near its transportation hub.

“We’re really excited about taking some time with our community and council to envision what can be capitalized in that space,” says Mayor Hernandez. “It’s walkable, it’s centrally located, and it could support housing, attractions, nightlife, or medical services that our city currently lacks.”

Housing remains a key pillar of the city’s plan. With recent builds ranging from affordable apartments to luxury units with accessory dwellings, Suisun has proven that “housing for all” isn’t just a slogan—it’s a policy direction. Still, gaps remain.

“One area we’re missing is affordable housing for seniors,” Mayor Hernandez adds. “We also need more options for young professionals—people who want to live near transit and nightlife. So, identifying those gaps and prioritizing the right kind of housing is part of our next phase.”

Strategic Action for Long-Term Resilience

For both Mayor Hernandez and Prebula, timing is everything. When Prebula joined the city in 2024, he and the mayor aligned immediately on a shared philosophy: seize the day.

“If I had to put a quote on Suisun right now, it’s ‘carpe diem,’” says Prebula. “The opportunity is in front of us, but we can’t sit back. Historically, Suisun has experienced ebbs and flows. Now we want to commit fully to creating pathways that set us up not just for the next few years, but for decades.”

Those pathways include balancing resident tax support, infill development, and smart annexation to build long-term sustainability. It’s a deliberate, multi-pronged approach that reflects the weight of the city’s recent challenges.

“One of the catalysts for our resiliency plan was a tax measure set to expire in 2026,” Mayor Hernandez explains. “If we didn’t act, we would have faced dissolution. But we took the time to educate our residents, and the measure passed with nearly 73% support.”

The extension provides Suisun with a 15-year runway to build its fiscal health and diversify its revenue. And residents’ support sends a clear message: they believe in the city’s potential.

Lifting Local Businesses

Suisun’s downtown is one of its most vibrant assets, known for an eclectic mix of family-run restaurants and boutique shops.

“Our downtown is built on small, family-owned businesses,” Mayor Hernandez says. “Each one is different. You’re not getting the same thing twice, and that’s what makes it special.”

Local brewery True Symmetry continues to innovate, and the Solano Transportation Authority, based in downtown Suisun, recently hosted the California Department of Transportation for its annual meeting.

“It brought state-level attention and expertise right into our downtown,” says Mayor Hernandez. “That’s the kind of exposure and engagement we want more of.”

Prebula adds, “Our small businesses are our biggest employers. They’re the heart of the city.”

Creating Inclusive Spaces

The city’s Parks and Recreation Department has also been making waves—quietly and effectively. With a revenue recovery rate of 70 cents on the dollar, it is among the most efficient departments in the region.

“When I came here, I was used to seeing 30–35% recovery rates. Suisun more than doubles that,” Prebula says. “It means they can offer more programs, from youth to seniors, at lower costs than the private sector.”

Their efficiency has enabled them to secure grants and awards, including one from the U.S. Conference of Mayors for outdoor youth programming. The program kicked off with the city’s first-ever Autism Awareness Children’s Walk and Run, designed explicitly for neurodiverse children and their families.

“It was emotional and beautiful,” Mayor Hernandez reflects. “For many of those families, it was the first time their child could participate in something designed just for them.”

The city also unveiled a new baseball field, funded through a partnership with the Junior Giants and Good Tidings Foundation, and sponsored by San Francisco Giants players. Located in the center of a residential neighborhood, the field is a walkable, inclusive space that represents Suisun’s values in action.

Planning Beyond Boundaries

Looking toward 2025 and 2026, the city is focused on three critical priorities: accelerating infill development, expanding its housing inventory, and exploring annexation opportunities.

“We are currently the smallest city in Solano County,” Mayor Hernandez points out. “Even if we doubled in size, we’d still be the smallest. But there’s opportunity in that—to change the trajectory of our future.”

Annexation talks include a westside logistics development project that is already approved, as well as a potential east side collaboration with California Forever, which proposes bringing industry and innovative housing to the region.

“That’s important because right now, only 655 residents work in Suisun,” Mayor Hernandez says. “Over 13,000 commutes out, often spending hours in traffic. We want to change that. We want people to live and work here.”

Many Voices, One Vision

More than any plan or program, it’s Suisun’s people who define its strength. The city’s leadership is a reflection of its community: diverse, driven, and deeply connected.

“Our city council is incredibly diverse,” Mayor Hernandez says. “We have Indian American, Japanese-White American, African American, and Latino. It reflects who we are.”

Prebula sees this diversity as more than symbolic. “It’s our superpower. It allows us to create a community that offers something for everyone, from diverse restaurants to inclusive events. We use that diversity as a strategic asset.”

It’s also a source of community engagement. Residents actively participate in advisory boards, commissions, and town halls. “They’re not just observers,” Mayor Hernandez adds. “They’re co-creators of our future.”

Momentum Fueled by Heart and Hard Work

In a world where cities are struggling to define themselves in a post-pandemic economy, Suisun City is writing its next chapter with intention. Fueled by collaboration, rooted in equity, and shaped by resilience, this is a city that not only survives but thrives.

“It’s been a busy year,” Hernandez says with a smile. “But it’s the good kind of tired-the kind that comes from building something meaningful.”

AT A GLANCE

Who: Suisun City, California

What: A forward-thinking, inclusive city where environmental stewardship, local pride, and strategic planning come together to shape a vibrant and resilient future.

Where: Located in Solano County, Northern California, nestled along the Suisun Marsh and midway between San Francisco and Sacramento.

Website: www.suisun.com/Home