Ahwatukee residents push back on proposed 38-acre Menlo Digital data center
Ahwatukee residents are opposing a proposed 38-acre Menlo Digital data center campus in Phoenix due to concerns about noise, heat, and air quality impacts. The Phoenix City Council recently approved removing easements, a step towards development, but residents are demanding a proper zoning meeting to reconsider the project's placement.
Ana Marshall, a longtime Ahwatukee resident, expressed shock and concern over a proposed 38-acre Menlo Digital data center campus slated for construction directly behind her property. Marshall, along with other residents, is worried about potential noise and air pollution from the five-building, one-million-square-foot facility, which would include a dedicated electrical substation capable of providing 257 megawatts of utility power.
The Phoenix City Council recently took a step to prepare the site for development by approving the removal of drainage and waterline easements. Despite this, residents, represented by Craig Evans of the Ahwatukee Community Alliance, argue that a facility of this scale is inappropriate for a residential area and are demanding the city reconsider the property's zoning.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego acknowledges the region's growth as a major data center hub, stating it has one of the highest concentrations of data centers globally. SRP confirmed that Menlo Digital would cover the full upfront cost of infrastructure, ensuring no rate increases for other customers. Residents, however, are pushing for greater community involvement and a proper zoning meeting before the project proceeds.