Plan Commission punts decision on Midtown Walmart redevelopment plan
The Milwaukee Plan Commission indefinitely delayed a decision on a redevelopment plan for a vacant Walmart, which includes a controversial "computational research facility" that critics identify as a data center. The postponement followed hours of public testimony primarily opposing the project due to concerns over energy use, environmental impact, and noise. City officials and the developer continue to support the plan.
Milwaukee's Plan Commission has indefinitely postponed a decision on a contentious redevelopment plan for a vacant Walmart in the city's Midtown Center. The proposal includes a "computational research facility" that critics claim is a data center, sparking significant public opposition regarding energy consumption, environmental impact, noise, and water usage. The seven-hour meeting on June 29 concluded with the commission punting the decision without setting a new date, after hearing extensive public testimony.
City officials, including City Development Commissioner Lafayette Crump and Ald. Mark Chambers Jr., and developer Trent Overhue, have supported the project, emphasizing that the 19,000-square-foot facility is small and not a hyperscale data center like those built by Oracle or Microsoft. They argue the redevelopment, which also features a public library, self-storage, and affordable housing, is crucial to revitalize the long-vacant site. However, Plan Commission members suggested additional conditions, such as an independent study on similar facilities and an environmental impact study, indicating the sensitivity of the proposal.
Ald. Peter Burgelis, who is co-sponsoring a city ordinance to restrict data centers, expressed desire for enforceable limits on the proposed facility, despite the ordinance not applying to this specific pre-existing application. The commission's decision to indefinitely hold the proposal reflects the strong community concerns and the complexity of integrating a "computational research facility" into a mixed-use development within an established overlay zone.