In 1999 Texas family gave 87 acres to be a park—now a data center is being built on it
Residents in Taylor, Texas, are legally challenging a data center project planned on 87 acres of land they contend was originally donated for use as parkland. Despite city officials arguing the parkland intent was not a binding restriction, local families are appealing a judge's decision to dismiss their lawsuit and deny a temporary injunction against the developer. The community remains concerned about the project's impact and the disregard for the original donor's wishes.
A legal and community dispute has erupted in Taylor, Texas, regarding the development of a data center on 87 acres of land in Williamson County. Residents, led by Pamela Griffin, are challenging the project, asserting that the land was originally intended for a community park after being sold for a nominal $10 by the Bland family to the Texas Parks and Recreation Foundation in 1999, "to be held in trust for future use as parkland."
However, City of Taylor officials, including Daniel Seguin, executive director of community services, contend that the parkland wording in the original deed reflected intent rather than a binding restriction and that the language was not carried forward in subsequent transfers. The property, zoned for industrial use since the 1970s, passed through the Williamson County Park Foundation and the City of Taylor before being transferred to the Taylor Economic Development Corporation (EDC) in 2008. In 2025, the EDC sold the land to NCP Travis TPP Project LLC (Blueprint), the data center developer, for $10 million.
Residents express concerns about the project's impact on their historically Black and Hispanic community, fearing displacement and the loss of a shared legacy. They allege they were not adequately informed about the development, learning about it via flyers, while the city maintains public meetings were held. Although the residents' initial lawsuit was dismissed and their request for a temporary injunction denied, they are actively pursuing an appeal against Blueprint Data Centers, vowing to continue their fight against the project.