Proposed Glendale-area data center draws debate over air, water and noise
A proposed data center campus, Project Eagle, by Michigan-based developer Takano, near Glendale, Arizona, is drawing strong resident opposition due to concerns over air quality, water, noise, and its proximity to Luke Air Force Base. While the property is in unincorporated Maricopa County, Glendale is in the process of annexing it, although city council members noted the project already has "entitlement" regardless of annexation. Residents are frustrated by the process, feeling their concerns are being dismissed.
A significant data center development, dubbed Project Eagle, planned by Michigan-based developer Takano, is generating considerable debate in the Glendale, Arizona area. The proposed campus, which includes its own natural gas power generation facility, is slated for a site near Litchfield Road and Olive Avenue, directly behind residential areas. Residents have voiced strong opposition, citing concerns about potential impacts on air quality, water resources, and noise levels.
The property is currently located in unincorporated Maricopa County, but the City of Glendale is proceeding with its annexation. At a recent city council workshop, council members indicated that their decision regarding annexation would not ultimately determine the project's fate, as the developer already possesses "entitlement" for the development. This statement caused frustration among residents like April Butler, who felt their concerns were being dismissed during an ongoing public process.
Butler highlighted specific anxieties, particularly the project's close proximity to Luke Air Force Base, questioning the suitability of the location for such an energy-intensive facility. The ongoing debate underscores the tension between community concerns over environmental and quality-of-life issues, and the potential economic benefits, such as jobs and tax revenue, touted by the project's supporters.