Amazon is backing out of planned Data Center project at former GW campus
Amazon has abandoned plans to build four data centers at the former George Washington University campus in Ashburn after community and county opposition. Loudoun County officials plan to pursue mixed-use zoning for housing and community facilities instead, while Amazon will contribute $5 million to the county housing trust fund and support scholarships.
Amazon is backing away from a planned 800,000-square-foot, four-data-center complex at George Washington University’s former Science and Technology Campus in Ashburn. The company said community concerns about data center development at the site led it to pursue a cooperative redevelopment plan rather than litigation with Loudoun County.
The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors said the 122-acre property could instead support housing, an indoor sports arena and a community arts center. Board Chair Phyllis Randall said the county opposed placing data centers on the campus, while Amazon Vice President for Data Center Delivery Josh Weissman said the company would work with the county and development partners on the proposed Project Potomac Promise. The board directed the county administrator to rezone the property for residential use and remove data center zoning; Amazon also committed $5 million to the county’s housing trust fund and scholarship funding.