St. Louis City leaders meet to discuss proposed data center in Midtown

After a month of debate, a controversial data center proposal within St. Louis City limits is set to go before the Zoning Committee today. The proposed data center, costing over $3 million, is planned for the Midtown area, specifically around the Armory property. The project has faced ongoing pushback from both city officials and the public since last fall, leading project planners to refine and rework the plan multiple times. The latest iteration of the plan, released in January, continues to draw concerns. Residents are worried about the potential environmental impact, an increase in power bills, and the substantial tax incentives that tech companies involved in such projects might receive. However, some citizens see the potential benefits, noting that the latest plans suggest the City and St. Louis Public Schools could receive nearly $500 million in the first ten years if the project moves forward. At today's conditional use hearing, which will be held virtually via Zoom, the developer will present its case, outlining the benefits of a data center in the city. The Zoning Committee, or "the Board," will then review this evidence alongside public testimony to determine if the Armory property can be used for this purpose and if the data center's benefits outweigh the expressed concerns. The meeting is scheduled for 8:30 AM, and the public can attend virtually to voice their concerns.