Proposed data center near St. Louis Armory pits residents against business

Local investor Rod Thomas and Las Vegas-based real estate firm Contour have put forward a proposal for a $3.1 billion, 487,000-square-foot data center situated within the former Famous-Barr warehouse building in St. Louis, which is currently partially utilized by Mers Goodwill. The developers also plan to convert the adjacent Armory building into luxury office space intended for the data center's future occupant. A five-hour city hearing was conducted on Thursday, during which residents and local businesses presented contrasting views on the potential future that the proposed data center could bring to St. Louis. Following the extensive discussions, the Zoning Section did not issue a recommendation regarding the project.