Downtown Kansas City, Missouri, data center proposal sparks concern from neighbors
A developer has proposed a 20-story data center in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, which would involve demolishing the historic Western Union Newspaper Building. The plan faces strong opposition from local residents and preservation groups who cite concerns over historic preservation and community benefit. The proposal is scheduled to go before the Kansas City Planning Commission in August.
Revitalized Unlimited, a Miami-based developer, has submitted plans to construct a 20-story data center in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, specifically in the Quality Hill neighborhood. The proposal calls for the demolition of the Western Union Newspaper Building, a structure built in 1900 and recognized on the National Register of Historic Places since 2007.
The project has generated significant opposition from neighbors and local preservationists, including Ethan Starr, executive director of Historic KC. Critics question the necessity of demolishing a historic landmark for a 141,000 square-foot, 384-foot-tall data center, arguing that it provides little community benefit compared to residential developments. Neighbors also express skepticism regarding the state and historical tax credits involved, fearing it could be a "tax scheme."
The proposed data center, which would include a coffee shop on its first floor, is slated for review by the Kansas City Planning Commission in August. Opponents are pressing city leaders to prioritize historic preservation and address concerns about the project's impact and rationale.