A plan to build a massive new data center in Fort Worth, Texas, has stirred up quite the debate. Despite strong opposition from locals, the city council recently gave the project the green light, and emotions are running high on both sides.
Here’s what’s going on. The city council voted 7-2 in favor of changing the zoning rules for a 120-acre plot of land near Tarleton State University. This change lets the developers build a five-building data center on land that was originally meant for homes and mixed-use developments, like shops and restaurants. This decision didn’t sit well with the city’s zoning commission, which had earlier rejected the project, arguing that a data center wouldn’t create many jobs or attract much business activity.
One of the supporters of the project, City Council member Jared Williams, explained why he voted for it. He pointed out that the data center is expected to bring in around $750 million in taxable value, making it one of the biggest revenue-generating projects in Fort Worth.
Travis Clegg, who represents the project’s developers, shed some light on what the data center would be used for. He said it could handle data for AI services, cellphone networks, cloud storage, and streaming platforms. However, he made it clear that it wouldn’t be a bitcoin mining operation, which might have raised additional concerns.
But why are so many residents upset? People living near the site, especially in the Panther Heights neighborhood, have raised a lot of worries. Ericka Schwan-Ornelas, one of the residents, said the area is better suited for mixed-use development that could bring in restaurants and other businesses the community actually needs. She also mentioned concerns about increased traffic, noise, light pollution, and the massive energy and water demands of the facility. Plus, the buildings might be as tall as 105 feet, which doesn’t exactly fit the neighborhood vibe.
Another resident, Kevin Schwan, voiced similar frustrations, calling the development overwhelming for their small neighborhood.
The environmental impact is also a big concern. Data centers use a ton of energy and water to stay cool and operational. And in Texas, where power grids are already under strain due to extreme weather, some locals worry about the potential for even more blackouts.
To address these concerns, the developers have been meeting with residents to try to ease tensions. Clegg explained that the noise levels from the data center would be about 40 decibels—quieter than nearby highways or gas wells. He also emphasized that the closest homes would be over 1,400 feet away, with plans for park-like public spaces to act as a buffer.
Even with these reassurances, there are still lingering questions about how the data center will manage its energy use, especially in a state prone to blackouts. While the facility won’t involve bitcoin mining, which is notoriously energy-intensive, Texas has seen other crypto-related projects shift to renewable energy like solar and wind to reduce their environmental impact. It’s unclear if the developers of this data center have similar plans.
For now, the project still needs a few more approvals before construction begins. But one thing is certain: the debate over this data center is far from over, and both sides are watching closely to see what happens next.
