St. Louis's $3.1 Billion Tech District Plan Draws Lawsuits Over Giant Data Center
St. Louis is planning a $3.1 billion technology district in Midtown anchored by a giant data center, an effort to turn the city into a regional tech hub — but the project has drawn public opposition and lawsuits. According to the New York Post (Oct. 17), the hyperscale data center, co-developed by San Francisco-based TeraWatt Infrastructure, would draw 120 megawatts and cover 525,000 square feet on the site of the former Macy's and Famous-Barr warehouses next to the historic Armory building.
Developers say the Armory innovation district would create more than 1,000 temporary construction jobs and 200 permanent jobs, and generate $432 million in tax revenue over ten years, nearly half of it going to St. Louis Public Schools. The project has won key city approvals and includes a $15.75 million community benefits commitment. But an opposition group sued in August, challenging the legality of the land-use permits, and TeraWatt has countersued the city, arguing that conditions attached to the project are unlawful. In September, Mayor Cara Spencer signed legislation restricting future data centers near homes and schools. A Gallup poll in May found 71% of Americans oppose building SI data centers in their own communities.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：圣路易斯拱门（资料图）。照片：Wikimedia Commons（CC BY-SA 2.0）。The Gateway Arch in St. Louis (file photo). Photo via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0).
