Amazon proposes building over 800,000 square feet of data centers on GW’s Virginia campus

Amazon Data Services has submitted an initial application to construct four new data center buildings, collectively spanning over 800,000 square feet, at the former George Washington University's Virginia Science and Technology Campus in Loudoun County. This move follows Amazon's $427 million acquisition of the 122-acre property five months prior, a site Amazon has named the Bridgefield Tech Center.

The proposal has drawn immediate opposition from District Supervisor Juli Briskman, who represents the Algonkian District where the campus is located. Briskman expressed concerns that Amazon is attempting to leverage outdated 1972 zoning policies, which could allow the project to proceed without public hearings, Board of Supervisors approval, or Planning Commission review. She stated she would "fight" the proposal, highlighting potential negative impacts on the community, including noise, pollution, increased water consumption, and power constraints.

Residents have voiced similar concerns regarding existing data centers, citing noise levels and the significant water demands of such facilities. The article mentions a previous study commissioned by the Piedmont Environmental Council that estimated increased health risks from emissions near a Vantage Data Center in Loudoun County.

In response to the surge in data center development, Supervisor Briskman recently introduced a proposal for a temporary pause on data center applications, site plans, and substation applications, pending the completion of county zoning amendments. The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors is slated to consider this proposed pause, along with a legal analysis from the County Attorney's Office, at its September 15 Business Meeting. It remains unclear whether Amazon's current project will be subject to new rules requiring board approval and public hearings, or if it can proceed under older zoning regulations.