Land prep begins for Project Blue construction

Site preparation has commenced for the Project Blue Data Center, located near Houghton Road and I-10 in Tucson, Arizona, with construction anticipated to be operational by 2028. This marks a significant step for a project that has been a subject of extensive discussion, particularly regarding its potential local impacts. Local residents, like classic car enthusiast Jeff Eppley, have voiced concerns about increased traffic congestion, especially along the two and four-lane roads in the area, which are already prone to high speeds during peak hours. The Pima County Fair Authority, however, stated that its traffic plan would manage any disruptions. Environmental concerns, primarily regarding dust from grading activities, are also being addressed. The Pima County Department of Environmental Quality confirmed it has issued a dust control permit to Project Blue contractors, who are implementing daily mitigation plans. Beale Infrastructure, the company developing the data center, issued a statement confirming that construction, including clearing and grading, is underway for early stage site development, with robust dust mitigation efforts in place. This development has been met with disappointment by the No Desert Data Center Coalition, which continues to oppose the project due to its perceived strain on water and electricity resources. The coalition initially criticized plans to use reclaimed water for cooling, leading developers to drop those plans after the City of Tucson refused to annex the land and provide water. However, concerns about electricity consumption persist. Vivek Bharathan of the Coalition criticized Pima County leaders, alleging they circumvented public wishes by proceeding with the project. The coalition also claimed that the county attempted to conceal the rezoning of the land to accommodate the data center. A judge recently rejected this specific claim, but the No Desert Data Center Coalition intends to appeal the decision. Despite the opposition, some local residents, such as Raymond Brown, see the project as a necessary development that will create jobs.