Possibility of West Richland data center campus rises with 1,000-acre land sale
Real estate firm Trammel-Crow has purchased nearly 1,000 acres in West Richland, Washington, signaling potential plans for a large data center campus. While no official proposal has been submitted, the land acquisition has sparked discussions among local residents, with some raising environmental concerns and others anticipating economic benefits. City officials indicate that any future proposal would undergo a rigorous State Environmental Policy Act review.
Real estate firm Trammel-Crow LLC has acquired nearly 1,000 acres of the Lewis and Clark Ranch property in West Richland, Washington, intensifying rumors about a potential data center campus. City of West Richland officials confirmed the sale and noted Trammel-Crow's year-long interest in developing data centers on the site. If realized, the project would constitute the largest planned campus in the Tri-Cities area.
The 1,000-acre parcel is part of a larger 7,000-acre ranch and is adjacent to an existing West Richland neighborhood. Residents like Aubrey Carlson have voiced concerns regarding the project's potential impact on property values and resource consumption, citing "a lot of unknowns." Another resident, Mason Ahlemeyer, stated, "Doing my own research on data centers, they're pretty terrible for the environment."
Conversely, some locals, including Victor Riojos, who works in West Richland, believe a data center campus could bring economic opportunities and jobs to the area.
City officials clarified that Trammel-Crow has not yet submitted an official proposal, a process they expect could take up to a year. Any future proposal would be subject to a rigorous State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review, which could lead to rejection if significant environmental harm is identified. The next West Richland City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 6:00 p.m.