Neighbors Oppose 24-Hour Data Center Work In Port Washington

Dozens of residents living near the construction site of a new Vantage Data Centers campus in Port Washington, Wisconsin are petitioning the city to limit the round-the-clock work happening near their homes. Construction on the Vantage Lighthouse Campus was originally limited to a 12-hour period, but the city later approved 24-hour construction on weekdays. Residents say they are increasingly frustrated by the lights, noises, traffic, emissions and dust being produced by the ongoing work. "We call our neighborhood the land of the midnight sun now because the hundreds of extremely bright work lights that they have shine in our windows 24 hours a day," said local resident Kim Tydrick. "We (also) have incessant backup beeping, which we were assured we would never hear by the mayor of Port Washington." Vantage apologized for the disturbances and said they are committed to complying with permits and being "a good and responsive neighbor." However, last week residents presented a letter to both the city's Common Council and the Port Washington Town Board requesting the city return to the original 12-hour construction limit by mid-March. Port Washington Mayor Ted Neitzke said the new work hours are necessary to help get the project back on track after delays, arguing "the city of Port Washington would like this project to close as fast as possible." But residents like Tydrick say they won't see the promised tax benefits since their town was annexed by the city for the data center project.