Ferguson eyes data center and mixed development at former Emerson HQ

Ferguson leaders and developers hosted a public forum to address resident concerns regarding a proposed redevelopment that includes a data center at the former Emerson headquarters on West Florissant Avenue. SSL Investments, owned by attorney Jim Ander, is under contract to purchase the site and plans to transform it into an "entrepreneurial hub" that incorporates a data center, likening it to the Cortex complex. Developer Jim Ander detailed plans for roughly $1.8 billion in renovations, including an upgrade to the existing LEED Gold certified data center on the campus, currently occupied by Copeland, an Emerson spin-off. Ander assured residents that all utility impacts would be addressed through development-funded infrastructure improvements, preventing increases in Ferguson residents' gas, water, or electricity bills. However, the proposal faces opposition due to a request for 15 years of tax abatements, which residents and legislators voiced concerns over, referencing a previous negative experience with Centene. Environmental impacts were also a significant concern, with residents mentioning "Coal Water Creek and various contaminants" as existing issues in the area. While Ander hopes the project will create hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs, officials stated that more public meetings would be held to discuss the development, with questions and answers from the initial forum to be published on the Ferguson website.