A major step forward was taken this week as the Unified Government Planning Commission of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, endorsed a plan for a massive 550-acre business park project housing a $12.6 billion data center, expected to become a key pillar of the internet’s infrastructure. With a 4-2 vote, the commission recommended the Unified Government Board of Commissioners adopt a package that includes rezoning, preliminary platting, and master plan amendments. These changes would pave the way for six hyperscale data buildings totaling 1.8 million square feet.
Responsible Growth with Community in Mind
The proposed location, currently zoned for residential and agricultural use, would be transformed into a high-tech campus west of the Kansas Speedway. Attorney Corb Maxwell, speaking on behalf of developer Red Wolf DCD Properties, emphasized the project’s thoughtful design. He explained that the center would appear more like a corporate campus than an industrial zone, complete with eight-foot earthen berms, over 3,000 trees, and extensive landscaping to reduce its visual impact on surrounding neighborhoods. Nearby homes would remain between 500 and 1,400 feet from the closest buildings.
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Massive Energy Needs and Infrastructure Investment
This Kansas data center project will demand significant power. It’s expected to consume 600 megawatts of electricity, more than the current 500 MW capacity of the Board of Public Utilities (BPU). As part of their commitment, developers will fund utility upgrades, including the construction of two substations. Maxwell noted that tapping into the Southwest Power Pool will not only enhance power resilience but also generate additional revenue for BPU, creating long-term benefits for the community.
Economic Impact and Statewide Incentives
Importantly, this project could transform local finances. The data center is projected to generate $12.9 million annually in property taxes, a stark contrast to the current $43,000 from the site. Greg Kindle, president of the Wyandotte Economic Development Council, called the move “strategic and forward-thinking.” Additionally, the Kansas Legislature recently passed a 20-year state sales tax exemption for data centers exceeding $250 million. While companies that use this tax break cannot access reduced utility rates, they must commit to purchasing electricity locally for at least 10 years.
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The Kansas Data Center Project Overview
Developer: Red Wolf DCD Properties
Estimated Investment: $12.6 billion
Location: 550-acre site bisected by Parallel Parkway, west of Kansas Speedway
Land Use Change: Rezoning from residential/agricultural to business park
Site Layout:
Six buildings totaling 1.8 million square feet
Buildings designed to resemble office spaces, not industrial complexes
Power Requirements:
600 megawatts of electricity demand
Two new substations funded by developer
Power sourced from the Southwest Power Pool due to load exceeding BPU’s current 500 MW capacity
Buffer & Design Features:
8-foot earth berms around the perimeter
Planting of 3,000+ trees for visual and environmental buffering
Residential properties set back 500–1,400 feet from buildings
