KCMO City Plan Commission votes to deny application for proposed downtown data center
The Kansas City, Missouri, City Plan Commission voted to deny an application for a proposed 20-story data center downtown. Developed by Miami-based Revitalization Unlimited, the project faced strong community opposition due to plans to demolish a historic building and concerns about its impact on the neighborhood. City officials cited the project's non-compliance with the city's Spirit Playbook as a key reason for denial.
The Kansas City, Missouri, City Plan Commission has voted to deny an application for a proposed 20-story data center in the city's Quality Hill neighborhood. Miami-based developer Revitalization Unlimited had submitted plans to demolish the historic Western Union Newspaper Building, constructed in 1900 and listed on the National Register of Historical Buildings, to make way for the 141,000-square-foot facility.
Community members voiced strong opposition at Wednesday's planning commission meeting, submitting over 450 letters against the project. Residents like Margaret Flynn expressed concerns that the data center would "permanently and irrevocably change the character" of their neighborhood, while Brooke Bowlin questioned the developers' profit motives and stated the project would not serve the city.
Commissioners and city staff shared concerns about the location, arguing that demolishing a historic building for a project that doesn't attract residents or jobs does not align with KC's Spirit Playbook. Commissioner Matt Hasek and Commissioner Luis Padilla explicitly stated their belief that it was not the right location for a data center. KCMO Mayor Quinton Lucas also publicly stated he would not support the proposal, emphasizing the importance of historic designation.
While the applicant can appeal the commission's decision to the city council, Mayor Lucas indicated a reversal is highly unlikely. Developers declined to comment on the outcome or public pushback.