Cleveland Rejects Permit for Data Center in Slavic Village

Cleveland officials announced on Thursday that a permit application for a large $1.6 billion data center in Slavic Village has been rejected. While City Hall has not yet provided an official reason, the decision comes amidst significant public opposition to data center construction throughout the state. The permit reportedly stalled during the zoning administration review process. Mayor Justin Bibb previously indicated the city would proceed cautiously with such projects, emphasizing the need for strong policies and safeguards to protect the environment and address rising utility costs. In response to the growing concerns, Councilman Charles Slife introduced legislation last month proposing a one-year moratorium on data center developments, which is currently under consideration by the City Council. Public and city council opposition to the planned facility, located between East 49th and East 55th Streets, was swift, with a community town hall scheduled to address the issue.