Residents pack Beatley Library forum on Plaza 500 data center plans near Alexandria
Residents from eight ZIP codes gathered at a community forum to express concerns over the proposed Plaza 500 data center in Lincolnia, Fairfax County, citing potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts. The project, developed by Starwood Capital Group, faces significant community and political opposition, particularly regarding the approval of a necessary substation. A critical public facilities review for the substation is scheduled for September 24 by the Fairfax County Planning Commission.
Residents from eight ZIP codes in Northern Virginia packed a forum at Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library to discuss the proposed Plaza 500 data center plans just outside Alexandria city limits. The Alexandria People’s Assembly organized the event, highlighting concerns about the data centers worsening health and socioeconomic disparities in the region.
Starwood Capital Group filed permit applications in July for the 34-acre Plaza 500 site in Lincolnia, Fairfax County, which borders Alexandria's West End. While the first phase of the data center, a 226,469-square-foot building, may be allowed by right under current zoning, a crucial substation on Edsall Road requires approval. Transmission lines for the substation were approved by Virginia's State Corporation Commission, but the substation itself faces a public facilities review by the Fairfax County Planning Commission on September 24, following a recommendation from the Mason District Land Use Committee on September 22.
Environmental and community experts, including Renee Grebe from Nature Forward, expressed strong opposition, citing risks to air quality from dozens of diesel generators, unknown water withdrawal and discharge impacts, and conflicts with the vision for a walkable neighborhood. Elected officials, including Mayor Alyia Gaskins, Alexandria City Council, Rep. Don Beyer (D-8), and Supervisor Andres Jimenez (D-Mason), have also come out against the substation proposal.