Milwaukee residents oppose data center planned at former Walmart store

Plans by AFS Milwaukee LLC to establish a 19,000-square-foot data processing and computer research facility at the long-vacant former Walmart building in Milwaukee's Midtown Center are facing significant opposition from local residents. The proposal, which is part of a broader redevelopment plan for the 108,000-square-foot building that also includes affordable housing and a library branch, has stirred concerns among community members. Residents like Steve O'Connell, former executive director at Sherman Park Community Association, expressed worries about potential air, water, and noise pollution, as well as increased water and energy consumption, drawing parallels to larger data center developments statewide. Robert Brooks, a property owner near the site, questioned the job creation potential versus the environmental and community risks. Matthew Lewis voiced fears that approving a "small one" could accelerate data center expansion throughout the city. The proposed facility would house workstations, networking infrastructure, server racks, high-performance computing equipment, and essential electrical and cooling systems. Community members, including Mary Jumes, advocate for alternative uses for the site, such as a medical complex or a community green space. The Milwaukee Plan Commission is set to hear the proposal at its May 18 meeting, with residents like O'Connell expressing apprehension about the outcome and the perceived lack of community voice in the process.