Urbana council postpones decision on $1B data center settlement vs. legal fight
Urbana City Council postponed a decision on a proposed settlement with Thor Equities over a $1 billion data center project. Residents and the Urbana Data Center Moratorium Committee urged the council to delay action while they study pollution and climate risks, while the city weighs accepting $50 million from the developer or continuing a legal fight that could expose it to $115 million in damages.
Urbana City Council members tabled a proposed settlement with Thor Equities involving the company’s planned $1 billion data center. The city could receive $50 million under the agreement or continue litigation that could result in up to $115 million in damages, while Thor says it has already invested about $19.6 million in the development.
Residents and members of the Urbana Data Center Moratorium Committee urged the council to wait for further research into potential pollution, health and climate impacts. The project’s zoning has already been approved, but the city later issued an emergency moratorium and became embroiled in litigation. The settlement decision was delayed until the next council meeting, which coincides with Election Day, when the data center is also on the ballot.