Stickney Mayor pledges to block data center at former Hawthorne Race Course
Stickney Mayor Mitch Milenkovic announced his opposition to any data center development at the former Hawthorne Race Course, pledging to vote against the project. This follows the Village Board's unanimous approval of a six-month moratorium on data center zoning and development. The mayor cited concerns about the potential strain on the regional power grid and freshwater resources.
Stickney Mayor Mitch Milenkovic has declared his opposition to a proposed data center development at the 119-acre former Hawthorne Race Course site. The Mayor pledged to vote against the project if it comes before the Village Board of Trustees, aiming to prevent the shuttered track from becoming a data center facility.
This announcement follows a unanimous decision by the Village Board on August 4 to approve a six-month moratorium on data center zoning, licensing, development, and permit approvals throughout Stickney. The Hawthorne Race Course ceased live racing on July 19, and a bankruptcy judge has approved a $90 million sale of the property to Delaware-based developer Allimac 2023 LLC, with the closing anticipated by early September.
Mayor Milenkovic articulated that his opposition is rooted in concerns for residents' well-being. He warned that data centers, without adequate regulations, could significantly burden the regional power grid and freshwater supplies, potentially increasing utility costs for local households and small businesses.