Stickney mayor, board oppose data center at Hawthorne horse racing site
Stickney village officials, including Mayor Mitch Milenkovic and the board of trustees, oppose a proposed data center development at the former Hawthorne Race Course site. The board has unanimously enacted a moratorium to block any data center proposals, citing concerns over water and power demand and noise nuisances. Digital Realty has been identified as the developer behind the buyer, Allimac 2023 LLC, with neighboring Cicero also passing a resolution opposing the project.
Stickney village officials, including Mayor Mitch Milenkovic and the board of trustees, have voiced strong opposition to a proposed data center development at the former Hawthorne Race Course. The village board voted unanimously to enact a moratorium, effectively blocking any new data center proposals by refusing to accept zoning changes or approvals that would facilitate such a project.
Mayor Milenkovic specifically cited concerns regarding the immense demand for water and power that data centers require, alongside potential noise nuisances from cooling systems, backup generators, and industrial equipment, which he believes would diminish the quality of life for Stickney residents and those in neighboring Cicero. The historic Hawthorne Race Course, which closed last month after 135 years, was acquired by Allimac 2023 LLC for $90 million following a bankruptcy filing by the previous owner.
Commercial real estate publication The Real Deal has identified Digital Realty, a data center developer with existing facilities in the Chicago area, as the company behind Allimac 2023 LLC. Neighboring Cicero trustees have also passed a resolution opposing any data center development at the Stickney site. The opposition from Stickney aligns with a broader trend, as Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has also sought a moratorium on such facilities within the city.