Urbana chooses to fight data centers
The Urbana City Council voted to continue fighting a lawsuit brought by Thor Equities over the company’s proposed data center. A settlement could have avoided about $30 million in damages but would have allowed the facility to be built across from Urbana Middle School and a high school.
The Urbana City Council rejected settling a lawsuit with Thor Equities, which is seeking to develop a data center in the city. Council members chose to continue the legal fight, potentially preventing the project from moving forward but exposing the city to approximately $30 million in damages if it loses.
The proposed facility would be located near Urbana’s middle and high schools, prompting sustained opposition from residents. The council is expected to revisit the matter at its Nov. 3 meeting, while questions remain about how the dispute reached its current stage and what the financial consequences could be for the city.