Vallejo | In the shadows of bankruptcy

Lavonne Sallee, the owner of The Barbie Lady Gallery in Vallejo, kisses “Dead Barbie,” a work of art that signifies the impending closure of her gallery. Since opening three years ago Sallee’s store has lost money every month.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Sailboats race past the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, which operated in Vallejo for more than 100 years before closing its doors in 1996.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Downtown Vallejo is reflected in a storefront window. The city’s financial straits were eased somewhat when voters approved a 1% sales tax increase.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Antique shops dot the downtown landscape. Half of the downtown storefronts are vacant and the mayor¿s Harley-Davidson motorcycle was stolen from the City Hall parking lot.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Kathy and Shannon O’Hare, artists who specialize in art cars, moved their business from Oakland to Vallejo, where real estate is much more affordable.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Late afternoon light illuminates the hull of an old ship docked at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

A car travels along Nimitz Avenue in the shuttered Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)