Advocates claim proposed Adair Park data center plans mirror historical redlining
Atlanta residents and advocates are actively opposing Digital Realty's proposed $500 million data center project, citing concerns over job creation, utility strain, environmental impact, and equity, likening the development to 'redlining 2.0'. The Atlanta City Council is reviewing the project after a local planning unit voted against a necessary zoning change and the Zoning Review Board upheld an existing ordinance restricting data center locations.
Residents of Atlanta's Adair Park, West End, and Mechanicsville neighborhoods are strongly opposing Digital Realty's proposed $500 million data center at 713 Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard, raising environmental, health, and equity concerns. Critics argue the project will not create significant local jobs and will strain utilities like electricity and water, while also causing noise and tree loss. They claim the promised $10 million in community investment is insufficient.
The Atlanta City Council is currently reviewing the project after the NPU-V (Neighborhood Planning Unit V) voted 105-87 against recommending a zoning change to allow the data center near the West End MARTA station. This vote followed a previous City Council ban on data centers near the Atlanta Beltline and MARTA stations, which Council member Antonio Lewis proposed to amend under specific conditions. Despite city staff approval of the amendment, the Zoning Review Board upheld the original ordinance.
Community members, including Norma Harris, Stephanie Linfields, Allean Brown, and Tyrone Clemons, have voiced frustration, alleging a lack of accountability from developers and highlighting rising utility rates for residents compared to discounted industrial rates for data centers. Clemons characterized the development as "redlining 2.0," arguing it disproportionately impacts predominantly Black areas. Council member Kelsea Bond has proposed a task force to examine data center regulation.