North Loop residents question developers over proposed data center at former Star Tribune site
North Loop residents in Minneapolis raised concerns about power, water, and noise at a community meeting regarding Legacy Investing's proposed data center at the former Star Tribune site. The North Loop Neighborhood Association pushed for a mixed-use agreement and a one-month delay to the planning commission hearing due to insufficient information. This comes after the Minneapolis City Council approved a five-month moratorium on data center development in downtown areas.
A community meeting in Minneapolis' North Loop on Wednesday focused on a potential data center at the former Star Tribune printing plant. Legacy Investing, an Arlington, Virginia-based firm, is under contract to purchase the 13-acre site and adjacent parcels, intending to convert it into a data center.
Residents attending the meeting expressed dissatisfaction, stating that developers from Legacy Investing were not prepared to provide crucial details regarding the project's impact. Key questions centered on potential effects on power, water usage, and noise levels. While developers claimed the data center would be relatively small with water use comparable to a few homes, the North Loop Neighborhood Association (NLNA) advocated for a legally binding agreement to ensure mixed-use development for the site.
Due to the perceived lack of information, the NLNA did not act on the conditional use permit application and requested a one-month delay for the planning commission hearing. This delay would allow committee members to gather more information and community input before a scheduled vote in September. The proposed development also falls under a five-month moratorium on data center development for downtown projects under 350,000 square feet, which the Minneapolis City Council approved last month. City leaders, including the Mayor, are considering data centers as a way to bolster the city's tax base but emphasize the need for a broader, multi-use vision for the Star Tribune site.