Former Lexmark data center in Lexington sold to major operator, raising community concerns
DartPoints has purchased a former Lexmark data center in Lexington, Kentucky for $29 million, leading to community concerns about its potential impact on the neighborhood, including water quality, noise, wildlife, and power grid demands. In response, Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton is working on a zoning ordinance text amendment to give the city more regulatory control over future data center developments.
DartPoints acquired a former Lexmark data center in Lexington, Kentucky, for $29 million, a move that has sparked community concern. Local residents, including Aaron Petri, founder of Demanding Data Center Accountability, expressed apprehension about the facility's location in a lower-income neighborhood and its potential environmental impacts. Petri highlighted worries about water quality, noise levels, wildlife, and the significant demand the 70-megawatt facility could place on the power grid.
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton acknowledged the community's concerns and stated that the city is actively working on a zoning ordinance text amendment. This amendment aims to provide the city with more regulatory power and a voice in future data center developments, ensuring that "we will just not accept anything." Both Mayor Gorton and Petri questioned the number of jobs the project would create compared to its overall community impact, emphasizing the need for local discussion and regulation.