Project Tango: Dueling applications throw data center project into disarray

The controversial Project Tango hyperscale data center in Palm Beach County is experiencing internal conflict, with co-owners TPA Group and PBA Holdings submitting rival proposals. TPA Group, owning 60 of the 202-acre site, filed an application on April 27 to replace planned warehouse space with 1.15 million square feet of data center space. This new proposal, if deemed administrative, could bypass public hearings before the County Commission. The TPA Group's plan would lead to a total of 1.35 million square feet of data center space, exceeding the 1 million square feet PBA Holdings had publicly promised to reduce to. This move has intensified opposition from neighbors, taxpayers, politicians, and environmentalists who have been fighting the project since December. Despite the apparent rivalry, PBA Holdings disavowed involvement in TPA Group's proposal, stating the projects are separate, though a land-use attorney for PBA Holdings later denied any 'war' between the parties. The County Commission has already delayed zoning considerations for the project twice, pushing the final hearing to July 15. Neighbors are particularly concerned about TPA Group's plan for outdoor generator yards and water chillers, contrasting with PBA Holdings' previous commitments to enclose noisy activities and use closed-loop water systems.