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A millennial engineer dreamed of a walkable small town with big-city vibrancy. So, she's building it herself.
- Devon Zuegel, a millennial engineer from San Francisco, is creating a walkable small city called Esmeralda in Sonoma Wine Country inspired by her childhood experiences at Chautauqua.
- Esmeralda aims to blend the vibrancy of big cities with the community feel of small towns, offering residents regular opportunities to connect.
- Zuegel drew inspiration from walkable communities like Vail, Charleston, and Arizona's car-free neighborhood.
- The idea is to revitalize Cloverdale by building a primarily walkable and bikeable town, catering to millennials seeking a different living environment.
- Edge Esmeralda, a pop-up event, was launched by Zuegel to showcase what Esmeralda could become, emphasizing community interaction and intentional living.
- The event attracted over 1,300 attendees in 2024, offering workshops on AI, longevity, and various activities reflecting the vision of Esmeralda.
- Esmeralda taps into the trend of millennials prioritizing community and flexibility in their living arrangements, mirroring the shift in work dynamics towards remote options.
- Zuegel's vision includes a slow-growth model learned from Chautauqua, aiming to involve prospective residents in shaping the town gradually.
- Local residents have shown interest in Esmeralda, though concerns exist regarding affordable housing, transportation, and social dynamics within the community.
- Esmeralda represents a blend of big city culture and small-town charm, envisioned to be inclusive, pedestrian-friendly, and intergenerationally welcoming.
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