Suisun City is Still Helping First-Time Homebuyers

Program Extends Beyond Tax Credits to Target Foreclosed Homes

SUISUN CITY - Federal homebuyer tax credits may have expired, but Suisun City is still in the business of helping first-time homebuyers get into a house of their dreams.

Qualified buyers can get down-payment assistance of up to 25 percent of a home’s value through the Suisun City Redevelopment Agency’s First-Time Homebuyer Program. The program targets foreclosed and short-sale homes to return them to individual and family ownership so they are neighborhood assets.

The program was designed to support existing Suisun City neighborhoods to ensure the long-term quality, value and availability of a variety of housing options.

“The federal government may have done all it could to reinvigorate the housing market, but Suisun City isn’t done yet,” said Project Manager Vivien Chua Togonon. “Despite State raids on our redevelopment funds, we are committed to reinvesting in our neighborhoods to make Suisun City the region’s best community for families.”

The Redevelopment Agency has streamlined the program to make it easy to understand and navigate.

Qualified buyers can get a loan in the form of a second mortgage on which the homeowner makes no monthly payments. Upon future sale of the property, the Agency recovers the principal it invested and shares in a pro-rata portion of any equity appreciation in the home.

Approved First-Time Homebuyer Program participants also get first chance to make an offer on properties acquired and completely renovated through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. These homes may qualify for down-payment assistance of up to 35% of the property’s value.

Households that qualify for the First-Time Homebuyer Program are also qualified to participate in the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program, which provides up to $2,500 in a matching grant to help homeowners with exterior improvements.

The Suisun City Redevelopment Agency launched the First-Time Homebuyer Program in January 2009, committing $3.4 million. Since then, the program’s staff has fielded 278 inquiries, qualified 30 homebuyers with 60 days purchase a home, and closed 22 escrows with the help of a Suisun City down-payment loan.

For more information, go online to www.suisun.com, call 707-421-7309 or e-mail homebuyer@suisun.com.

Suisun City Public Works Seeks Landscaping Firm

Plantings to Beautify New Bike Trail Extension

SUISUN CITY - The Public Works Department wants to hire a landscaping firm to install attractive new plantings along the recently completed Central County Bikeway Extension along north Main Street.

The work, estimated to cost about $55,000 to $70,000, includes removing existing plants, installing trees, shrubs and vines along with necessary irrigation systems, grading, soil preparation and constructing a retaining wall.

The landscaping will provide the finishing touches on the Bikeway Extension that links Suisun City's main residential neighborhoods with the Train Station and the Waterfront District. The Bikeway Extension officially opened in October 2009.

In addition to providing recreational opportunities and a new safe route to school, the Bikeway also is expected to be a significant route for people attending Waterfront District events, such as the upcoming Independence Day Spectacular.

>>Click for more information on the landscaping project>>

FasTrak Tags Now Available at Suisun City Train Station

Commuting drivers can now purchase a FasTrak toll tag at the Suisun City Train Station as part of the Bay Area Toll Authority's effort to expand the retail locations for the automatic tolling device. >> Map to Train Station >>

The FasTrak transponder can be purchased at the Transit Information Center in the Train Station staffed by the Rio Vista Delta Breeze. Until July 15, new customers who pick up a FasTrak toll tag can get up to $10 in free tolls.

"With the toll tags available at the Suisun/Fairfield Amtrak Station and the Rio Vista Municipal Airport, central Solano County bridge commuters have another location where FasTrak enrollment can become more convenient," said Solano County Supervisor and Bay Area Toll Authority member Jim Spering. "And convenience is really what FasTrak is all about. Because FasTrak customers prepay their tolls, they don't have to stop to pay cash at a toll booth. The correct toll is deducted electronically from a customer's prepaid account when they pass through the toll plaza. Having the tags available at the Suisun/Fairfield Amtrak Station and Rio Vista Municipal Airport is especially timely for carpool commuters because they will have to use FasTrak to qualify for the new discounted carpool toll that begins July 1."

The new $2.50 carpool toll, which is half of the new $5 regular toll (and a $3.50 discount off the new $6 peak-period toll on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge), will be assessed for carpool vehicles that cross the region's state-owned toll bridges in designated carpool lanes on weekdays from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

July 1 also will mark the debut of congestion pricing—also known as time-of-day pricing—on the Bay Bridge, which is by far the region's busiest toll bridge. Beginning July 1, auto tolls on the Bay Bridge will vary from $4 during weekday off-peak hours, to $5 all day on Saturdays and Sundays, and to $6 from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays. The regular auto toll will rise to $5 from the current $4 at all times on the six other state-owned toll bridges: the Antioch, Benicia-Martinez, Carquinez, Dumbarton, Richmond-San Rafael and San Mateo-Hayward bridges.

For Rio Vista Delta Breeze transit route and schedule information, call (707) 374-2878 or 511 and say "Rio Vista Transit." You can also visit Rio Vista Delta Breeze on the internet at www.deltabreeze.org. Rio Vista Delta Breeze is a service of the City of Rio Vista.

Suisun City Welcomes Summer in a Huge Way!

With school over and the weather warming, summer is a favorite season for many, particularly the rain-weary in Northern California.

Suisun City, California, is welcoming Summer in a big, big way starting this weekend!

Dimitri's Lounge - the hottest new live music and comedy venue - is setting the table with soulful Jazz and Spoken Word by "Ifamodupe" on Thursday (6/10) followed up Friday night (6/11) with the region's favorite party band - The Time Bandits!

That should get you warmed up for Saturday (6/12) with fun for literally everyone:

• Shore Fest kicks off the summer festival season from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with Garratt Wilkin and the Parrotheads, The Honeybee Trio, and tons of arts, crafts and family fun.
  >>Get more info!>>
  
  
• The Lady of Suisun paddlewheel riverboat is pushing off from the Suisun City Marina for two public Shore Fest Delta cruises at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. This is a great chance for the entire family to see nature's wonders! >>Get more info!>>
  
  
• The Fairfield-Suisun Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class is sponsoring 'Grab a Mic Night,' a karaoke-themed fund-raiser from 5-10 p.m. in partnership with the Cast Iron Grill & Bar, located in the terrific new Harbor Square right on Main at Solano Street!
  
  
• Rather listen to your music? Dimitri's Lounge presents the Urban Bushmen Band at 9:30 p.m.
  
  
• Between all the scheduled fun, swing by the Lawler House at 712 Main Street to visit the Lawler House Gallery and the Solano History Exploration Center. Or head to the south end of Kellogg Street to stop by the Suisun Wildlife Center, a state-certified wildlife rescue center with resident animals and educational displays.
  

You might want to stop in to one of the 12 independent restaurants in the Waterfront District to refresh, and maybe consider an overnight stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites Suisun City Waterfront because we've got some more on Sunday!

On Sunday (6/13)

• Diablo Jet Ski Action will take to the Suisun City Marina waters for the most exciting, live jet ski racing in Northern California! Suisun City hosts the only venue to get an upclose view of all the free race action from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.!
  
  
• Grab some lunch or visit the Lawler House before you wrap up the weekend back at Dimitri's Lounge with The Sound of Souls Band at 7 p.m.

Whew! That's a seriously busy weekend! And that doesn't even include a trip out to Suisun Valley for some great wine tasting at the best wine country you've probably never heard about!

And that's just the start of the summer in Suisun City! The next weekend - right in time for Father's Day - we kick off the Friday Nights at the Waterfront concert series, the Saturday Night at the Movies outdoor film festival and the Waterfront Jazz Series each Sunday through September. Plus, the Lady of Suisun is running two Father's Day cruises on June 20!

Make sure to go to www.VisitSuisunCity.com for all the information, or join us on Facebook!

Suisun City Public Works Reissues Main Street Project Bid Announcement

SUISUN CITY — The Suisun City Public Works Department has re-issued the bid documents for the Main Street Rehabilitation Project that is expected to take place during the upcoming summer construction season.

The project, which has an estimated bonding value of $600,000, is funded by a grant through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The project entails making major repairs to Main Street from Solano Avenue to near Lotz Way. In areas where the subgrade has settled, pavement, curb, gutters and sidewalks will be replaced. When that work is completed, the entire street will receive a pavement overlay and new street markings.

The Main Street Rehabilitation Project follows the 2009 Sunset Avenue Rehabilitation Project in which the entire length of Sunset Avenue was resurfaced from Highway 12 to Railroad Avenue.

Public Works staff will coordinate construction scheduling carefully to minimize impacts to both Waterfront District businesses and nearby residents. A project page will be added to the Public Works website so everyone interested in the project can follow key developments.

For contractors, follow this link for more information.

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>>Read more about Suisun City's efforts to improve and maintain local streets>>