Data Center Community Workshops: What To Expect

The North Loop Neighborhood Association (NLNA) is organizing community workshops to address concerns and gather input regarding a proposed data center development by Legacy Investing at the former Star Tribune printing facility in Minneapolis. Dr. Fernando Burga, an urban planning academic from the University of Minnesota and a member of the NLNA's Planning + Zoning Committee, facilitated the collaboration with the Minnesota Design Center (MDC) to use the Star Tribune site as a case study for their research on urban data centers.

The workshops will feature interactive design exercises where participants can articulate their concerns about data center impacts and explore alternative possibilities for the property. Legacy Investing is scheduled to present its specific land use application via Zoom during the NLNA’s Planning + Zoning Committee meeting on Wednesday. This application focuses on converting the printing press building into a data center, with other land uses on the property not subject to discussion at this time.

Following the presentation, the P+Z Committee members will discuss and vote on the Land Use Application. The committee’s recommendation will then be presented to the full NLNA Board for a final vote on August 26. These recommendations are subsequently shared with the Minneapolis City Planning Commission, which also reviews the application. The NLNA currently holds no official position on the proposal, emphasizing the importance of community participation in influencing the development, as the City ultimately makes the final decision on private property developments.