$30M lawsuit claims DeKalb leaders approved building data center, then issued moratorium
Shadowbox Studios has filed a $30 million lawsuit against DeKalb County, Georgia, alleging the county initially permitted data center construction on their property but later imposed a moratorium. The company claims it invested millions in infrastructure based on written interpretations from the county's planning department. This legal battle stems from a conflict between initial departmental guidance and subsequent county commission actions.
Shadowbox Studios has filed a $30 million civil lawsuit against DeKalb County, Georgia, alleging the county misled them regarding the development of a data center. The company claims that for three years, county officials provided written assurances, through the planning department's "interpretations," that data centers would be permitted on their property off Moreland Avenue, despite the land not being explicitly zoned for such use.
Based on these assurances, Shadowbox Studios invested millions in infrastructure, including constructing a new bridge. However, two years after the initial interpretations, DeKalb County commissioners voted for a moratorium on data centers, which has since been extended to at least September 30th, halting the company's project.
DeKalb County Commissioner Nicole Messiah expressed shock upon learning of the lawsuit, stating she had suspected county officials were making such promises to companies without public input. She highlighted that these deals, made without community awareness, could now cost taxpayers millions. The county has declined to comment on the pending litigation. A zoning board of appeals hearing regarding an administrative decision is scheduled for September 9th, where the issue is expected to be discussed.