Stafford data center paused over concerns of enslaved peoples' graves
A data center project in Stafford County, Virginia, known as the Battoic Creek campus project, has been put on hold. The Stafford County Board of Supervisors deferred the project due to concerns about a cemetery of enslaved people's graves located on the proposed property. The developer is now required to conduct archaeological and genealogical studies.
The Battoic Creek campus project, a proposed 99-acre data center development in Stafford County, Virginia, has been deferred by the County Board of Supervisors. This decision, reached with a four-to-three vote, stems from significant community concerns over a cemetery containing the graves of enslaved people discovered on the property near Eskimo Hill Road.
Chairman Deontay Diggs conveyed the emotional weight of the issue, stressing the importance of honoring the individuals buried there. In response, the board has instructed the applicant, identified as including developers Amazon (AWS) and Stack Infrastructure, to undertake comprehensive archaeological and genealogical studies. These investigations are to be conducted by a consultant from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.
The deferred proposals specifically encompass items related to the comprehensive plan, zoning reclassification, and building height for the project. The board granted the developer an extension of six weeks to two months to complete the necessary cemetery and cultural resource evaluations. Supervisor Monica Gary, who voted against the deferral, highlighted the unknown scale and number of graves at the approximately 200-year-old cemetery site.
While some local residents, such as Edward Burrow, indicated general support for the data center if adequate infrastructure is in place and the cemetery is treated with respect, the immediate focus remains on addressing the cultural and historical implications of the burial site before the project can proceed.