Spencer Confirms Talks on North St. Louis Data Center
St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer has confirmed ongoing discussions for a new data center development in north St. Louis, coinciding with the city's progress on comprehensive zoning regulations for data centers. The Board of Aldermen advanced Board Bill 49, designed to establish clear rules for data center operations and address concerns like electricity consumption and noise, with a final vote anticipated soon. This new potential project could be an early test for the city's evolving regulatory strategy, balancing economic development with environmental and neighborhood protections.
St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer confirmed that discussions are underway for another potential data center in north St. Louis. This comes as city officials, including the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, are moving closer to adopting comprehensive citywide zoning regulations for data centers through Board Bill 49.
The legislation, sponsored by Alderwoman Anne Schweitzer and co-sponsored by several aldermen, passed the Board of Aldermen with a 13-1 vote and one abstention. It is now scheduled to return to the St. Louis Planning Commission on September 9 to consider amendments, with a final passage by the Board of Aldermen anticipated on September 11. Mayor Spencer has indicated her readiness to sign the bill once approved, stating it aims to balance economic development with environmental sustainability and neighborhood protection.
Board Bill 49 seeks to establish clearer rules for data center operations, addressing issues such as electricity consumption, noise, lighting, and compatibility with surrounding communities. The city's effort to regulate the industry accelerated after Spencer issued Executive Order 92 in September 2025, which highlighted the lack of specific zoning regulations for data centers. This new regulatory framework, developed in cooperation with various city departments and stakeholders, is designed to create predictable standards for developers and mitigate potential negative impacts.
While details about the proposed north St. Louis project, including the developer and exact location, remain undisclosed, the confirmation of talks underscores the immediate relevance of the city's new regulatory efforts. St. Louis has already seen interest from developers, with the St. Louis Board of Public Service approving a conditional use permit in April for a data center at the former Famous-Barr warehouse property, which included specific conditions related to noise, sustainability, electricity, and water consumption.