When the U.S. Navy shut down the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in 1996, it took away Vallejo's economic engine. That void, though severe, also created an opportunity for the centrally-located but mostly undeveloped stretch of land between San Francisco, Napa and Sacramento. Mare Island has been the repository of high hopes and canceled plans for the past two decades, but new projects have begun to take hold. As part of Forum's broadcast from the Empress Theater in downtown Vallejo, we talk with those doing business on the former naval base and we discuss the past, present and future of Mare Island.

Guests:

Jen Boyd, sound artist and founder, Re:Sound

Kent Fortner, founder, Mare Island Brewing Company

Sharon McGriff-Payne, historian; author, African Americans in Vallejo

Mark Walter, general manager, Film Mare Island; director of studio development for Cinelease