North Pekin officials, property owner address data center speculation at old AMC theater
Residents in North Pekin, Illinois, are concerned that a rezoning proposal for an old AMC theater could pave the way for a data center. However, the property owner, North 52, LLC, and Village President Steve Flowers deny any data center plans, stating the rezoning is to make the property more marketable for other uses. The North Pekin Zoning Commission is set to vote on the rezoning.
Speculation that an old AMC theater in North Pekin, Illinois, might be reimagined as a data center has led to significant community concern. A "very heated council meeting" took place where residents voiced their worries, especially regarding an upcoming vote on rezoning the former AMC theater from retail to light industrial.
Jeff Agan, the managing member and sole owner of North 52, LLC, which acquired the theater in December 2025 (as per transcript), assured residents that he has no intention of making it a data center and has no connection with any data center operators. He clarified that the rezoning is intended solely to make the property more appealing for sale, potentially to small businesses or as a warehouse. Village President Steve Flowers also stated during the meeting that North Pekin does not possess the necessary logistics or space for a data center and that such a proposal has "no merit.
Despite these assurances, residents from both North Pekin and the neighboring City of Pekin, where a proposed data center project was paused in May, remain vigilant. They attended the meeting to express that they are "not taking any chances." The Village of North Pekin Zoning Commission is scheduled to vote on the proposed zoning classification amendment.