Atlanta data center tabled, but developer remains ‘committed’ to vision
Digital Realty's $500 million data center proposal near Atlanta's West End MARTA station was tabled by the City Council's Zoning Committee. The project requires an exemption from Atlanta's ban on server farms near MARTA stations and the Beltline, sparking community division and resident pushback.
Digital Realty's proposal to build a $500 million data center near Atlanta's West End MARTA station has been tabled by the City Council's Zoning Committee following a 6-1 vote. The Texas-based developer is seeking an exemption from Atlanta's existing ban on server farms located near MARTA stations and the Beltline, a policy enacted due to significant resident opposition.
The controversial project, slated for a polluted former film production site in Adair Park, has divided the nearby Mechanicsville and Adair Park neighborhoods, which are grappling with how to balance corporate investment with urban land use. Despite the legislative delay, Digital Realty has reiterated its commitment to the project, indicating plans to further engage with stakeholders to garner support for its development.
This project marks the first attempt to secure an exemption from Atlanta's data center ban, highlighting ongoing tensions between urban development, digital infrastructure needs, and community interests in the rapidly growing metro Atlanta data center market.