Petersburg leaders demand transparency regarding data center projects
Petersburg city leaders expressed frustration and called for greater transparency from city administrators after learning about four planned data center projects, including two with approved site plans, through a local news article rather than from within city government.
Petersburg city leaders were surprised to discover details of four planned data center projects, including two with already approved site plans, through a Richmond BizSense article. Many council members expressed frustration over the lack of transparency from city administrators regarding these developments.
Councilman Charles Cuthbert stated that city administration should have kept council members better informed. Records obtained by 8News, initially requested by BizSense, show months of discussions between city administrators and various development companies.
Approved plans include a 75-acre data center between I-95 and County Drive, and a 73-acre center on Wagner Road. Other projects, like the Collier Yard project, had land rezoned earlier in the year by the council, though some data centers don't require further rezoning as industrial zones already permit them.
City Manager March Altman was unavailable for comment regarding the calls for transparency, and a spokesperson did not provide a statement.