St. Louis data center wins approval as Mayor Spencer meets in London with top campaign donor

The St. Louis Board of Public Service has unanimously approved the Armory Innovation Data Center project, marking the city's largest proposed data center to date. The project, put forth by a developer consortium including Contour, TeraWatt, and Steadfast City, will transform the former Famous-Barr warehouse near Grand and Market into a hyperscale artificial intelligence data center. The approval was granted during a remote meeting, while Mayor Cara Spencer was in London on a trade mission. Her presence in London, particularly dining with her top campaign donor, Bob Clark (founder of Clayco, a major data center developer, though not directly involved in this project), sparked concerns among aldermen regarding optics and transparency. Spencer's office stated they are investigating gift reporting requirements for international trade missions. Despite public opposition, with residents gathering at City Hall to protest but being denied public comment before the vote, the project received significant support from local labor organizations. AFT St. Louis Local 420 and the St. Louis Building and Construction Trades Council endorsed the deal, citing the estimated $206 million in tax revenue for St. Louis Public Schools and the creation of approximately 1,050 union construction jobs. The agreement also mandates the developer contribute $15.75 million to a community fund, meet job minimums, source 50% renewable energy within five years, and prohibit cryptocurrency mining operations.