Data center could be coming to popular North Loop of Minneapolis
A Virginia-based developer plans a data center in Minneapolis's North Loop, converting the former Star Tribune printing facility. While business leaders see it as a solution to downtown vacancies, residents and some city council members express concerns over water and energy use, leading to a recently enacted moratorium on large data center construction.
A new data center is planned for Minneapolis's North Loop, to be housed in the former Star Tribune printing facility. This development is part of a growing trend of data center construction driven by the surge in AI. Minneapolis Downtown Council CEO Adam Dunek views the project as an opportunity to address downtown vacancies and attract investment, potentially lowering the tax base for residents and small businesses.
The developer, Virginia-based Legacy Investing, has not yet provided a timeline for construction. However, the proposal has generated concern among North Loop neighbors and some city council members regarding the long-term sustainability, particularly the data center's significant water and energy consumption, and its limited job creation. Council Member Aurin Chaudhry, who supported a recently passed moratorium on new data center construction, emphasized the need for developers to commit to community benefits and clean energy if the project proceeds.
Under the recently enacted moratorium, data centers larger than 350,000 square feet cannot be built downtown until the moratorium expires in November. The video highlights a clash between business leaders keen on development and community members focused on environmental impact and land use.