Lexington residents rally against proposed data center near Green Acres Park
Lexington, Kentucky residents are strongly opposing a proposed data center by Texas-based developer DartPoints near Green Acres Park. Community concerns focus on water usage, utility bills, and increased traffic. City officials, including Mayor Linda Gorton, are urging public participation in an upcoming council hearing before the city's development moratorium expires.
Residents in Lexington, Kentucky, gathered near Green Acres Park on Sunday to express strong opposition to a proposed data center development by DartPoints. The Texas-based developer recently acquired a portion of the former Lexmark campus off New Circle Road and plans an initial power usage of 20 to 30 megawatts, with potential expansion to 70 megawatts. Neighbors living less than two miles from the site voiced concerns regarding water consumption, potential increases in utility bills, and heightened traffic.
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton attended the community meeting and stated that city officials were not informed in advance of DartPoints' private real estate transaction. She urged the Urban County Council not to rush a decision on the project and encouraged public attendance at a special hearing. The council's Committee of the Whole is scheduled to hold a public input session on October 6 at City Hall, weeks before the city's current development moratorium is set to expire on October 31.
Vice Mayor Dan Wu, Councilmember Tyler Morton, and Fayette County Public Schools Board Chair Tyler Murphy also participated in the meeting. Mayoral candidate Raquel Carter suggested that opposition to large-scale data centers extends beyond the immediate neighborhood. Community organizers, including Katie Dapkus, emphasized the importance of public turnout at City Hall as their primary leverage against the developer.