Developer unveils plans for AI data center to support an 'innovation campus' in downtown Oakland
Behring Companies has unveiled plans for a new 20,000-square-foot AI data center in downtown Oakland, California, to support the Stack Ventures innovation campus. The project has sparked debate among local residents regarding its potential economic benefits and environmental impacts, particularly concerning electricity and water usage. While some residents expressed optimism for job creation, others raised red flags about data center development without sufficient public knowledge.
Behring Companies has announced plans for a new 20,000-square-foot artificial intelligence data center in downtown Oakland, California. The facility will be located at 415 20th Street, redeveloping a former supercomputer site previously owned by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
The data center is intended to support research at Stack Ventures, a 1.3-million-square-foot 'innovation campus' at 1900 Broadway that provides housing, office space, and facilities for AI and robotics companies. Behring Companies stated that the project aims to create a 'center of gravity' for tech companies in Oakland, bringing jobs, new residents, and investment to the city.
The announcement has generated mixed reactions among Oakland residents. While some, like Lavarion, expressed optimism for economic revitalization and job creation, others voiced concerns. Resident Alix, for example, raised 'red flags' due to common issues with data center developments across the U.S., including heavy electricity and water usage and general lack of public awareness regarding their environmental footprint. The timeline for the data center's construction and completion remains unclear, with Behring Companies promising more details soon.