Developer holds open house on proposed data center
Developer Allegheny DC Property Co held an open house in Springdale Borough, Allegheny County, PA, to present updated plans for a proposed data center. The project faces significant community opposition due to concerns about water quality, air quality, and noise, with residents planning further protests. The developer is seeking land development approval from Allegheny County.
Allegheny DC Property Co recently hosted an open house in Springdale Borough, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, to showcase updated plans for a proposed data center. Brian Wrigley, a consultant for the developer, stated that these revised plans incorporate public feedback and aim to educate the community on the project, which is currently seeking land development approval from Allegheny County by the end of the year.
However, the project is encountering strong pushback from community members in Springdale Borough and surrounding areas. Residents voiced significant concerns about the potential impact on air and water quality, citing risks of heavy metal leakage into groundwater, and about noise levels from generators, despite developer assurances that generators are now shielded and double-shielded.
A protest was held prior to the open house, where a group gathered to express their clear message: "We don’t need and we do not want this data center." The developer addressed water concerns by explaining the facility would use closed cooling systems and only consume water for flushing toilets and pantries, a feature they believe distinguishes it from other data centers. Opponents are planning a follow-up march at Rachel Carson Park.