Complaints escalate over data center construction in Phoenix
Residents near the Menlo Digital data center in Phoenix continue to complain about construction occurring before permitted hours, noise, dust and other impacts. The city has acknowledged some early activity and issued warnings, but residents are questioning whether Phoenix is enforcing its rules and escalating penalties.
Residents in Ahwatukee are continuing their dispute with Phoenix over construction at Menlo Digital's five-building, 1-million-square-foot data center campus near 48th Street and Thistle Landing Drive. Jurgita “Ana” Marshall says workers were active before permitted hours on Sept. 12 and that city representatives refused to document her after-hours complaint. Phoenix previously acknowledged early activity on several dates and issued warnings, while Marshall is seeking records about complaints, inspections, violations and enforcement decisions.
The controversy also includes construction noise, dust, odors, lighting and potential environmental impacts. Residents have raised concerns about Menlo's proposed closed-loop liquid-cooling system, including water-storage tanks, chemicals and wastewater, and have contacted Maricopa County air-quality regulators and the Arizona Attorney General's Environmental Protection Unit. Phoenix officials maintain that the site's prior zoning approval allows a data center and that newer city data center regulations do not apply to projects approved before their passage; Attorney General Kris Mayes is scheduled to hear residents' concerns but her office has not opened an investigation.