Developer drops plan to build data center in Minneapolis
A developer has scrapped plans to build a data center on the former Star Tribune printing facility site in downtown Minneapolis. The decision follows concerns from some city council members regarding environmental impact and resource drain. Minneapolis currently has an enacted temporary moratorium on new data centers, set to expire in November.
Legacy Investing, a Virginia-based developer, has abandoned its plans to construct a data center at the former Star Tribune printing facility in downtown Minneapolis's North Loop. The 600,000-square-foot property, now empty after the Star Tribune ceased printing there last year, had been eyed for the data center project.
The decision comes amidst opposition from some Minneapolis City Council members who expressed concerns about the potential environmental impact and the strain on natural resources, arguing that such corporate developments might "suck up all of our natural resources." Conversely, supporters, like Minneapolis Downtown Council President and CEO Adam Dunick, viewed the project's cancellation as a "missed opportunity," highlighting the potential for increased tax revenue and a reduction in the downtown vacancy rate, citing the success of a data center in the Sleep Number building.
Following the developer's withdrawal, the Star Tribune stated its commitment to "maximizing the value of the Heritage Printing Facility for the benefit of our community and our journalism." The city is currently operating under a temporary moratorium on new data centers, which is scheduled to conclude in November. There is no immediate timeline or public information regarding other potential buyers for the property.