The construction of a proposed data center campus in Allen Park, Michigan, still faces stiff opposition from residents. Moreover, this is still despite an interactive question and answer (Q&A) session between residents and developer, Solstice Data. Representatives with the company, which has locations worldwide, noted they were aware of the concerns community members have. While company officials said they presented answers at the meeting, some residents have noted they are still unsatisfied.

“There is too much at risk in our community for this data center to come here,” said Barbara Kirby, a concerned resident. Kirby is one of the several people who came with questions for Solstice Data. She says her community is so concerned about this project that a group was formed to stop the city from approving it. However, Solstice is determined to convince the residents that the project will be beneficial and will have no harm to the residents and the community of Allen Park. Though speculative, the data center project seems it is succumbing to delays based on opposition from residents. 

Points Noted by Solstice Data on the Proposed Data Center Campus in Allen Park

One of the key areas that Solstice Data spokesperson at the session, Tony Graham, addressed was on the issue of noise. “We have independent noise studies that show that noise in the neighborhoods will be below what is allowed by the city,” he noted. Graham also noted that their cooling system would not be connected to municipal water. “It’s a closed loop, so we’re basically recycling the water over and over again.”

The facility, according to Graham, would also use an existing electricity substation so as not to impact the electricity used by residents nearby. Nonetheless, some residents are still objecting the project’s approval or development. “I see artificial intelligence as a tremendous benefit, but something like this needs to be out in the middle of a superfund site or a brown field development,” said Chris Darzynski, a concerned resident.

The company says the Allen Park location is perfect and would provide faster access to AI. Moreover, it notes businesses such as hospitals, factories and auto companies could leverage on a daily basis. Solstice data will be presenting their additional research that was requested by the city at their upcoming meeting in March.

Scope on the Proposed Facility in 7500 Enterprises

Earlier last month, the proposed data center in Allen Park was postponed because of scrutiny from residents. The project was postponed by the City of Allen Park’s Planning Commission at a meeting last Thursday. Like many other projects across the US, the data center proposal has been met with increasingly organized and fierce opposition. Furthermore, concerns have been raised about tax subsidies, the potential rise in utility costs, and procedural issues. Allen Park is located to the southwest of Detroit, the most populous city in Michigan. The majority of the state’s data centers are clustered around Detroit. A petition posted to change.org, titled ‘Rejection of AI data centers in Allen Park, MI’, has received 1,535 signatures at the time of writing.

Project Overview

• Project Name: Allen Park Data Center Campus.
• Capacity: 26MW
• Site: Enterprises drive, 7500, Allen Park, Michigan (southwest of Detroit)
• Developer: Solstice Data
• Status: Awaiting; pending Planning Commission.

Project Scope

• Multi-block data center campus.
• Existing electricity substation utilisation.
• Closure loop cooling system (no connection with municipal water)
• Created to be AI and enterprise friendly.

Key Stakeholders

• Developer Rep: Tony Graham.
• City Government: Allen Park City Planning Commission.
• Community Opposition Group: Local community members (organized petition campaign)

Community Concerns

• Noise levels
• Utility cost increases
• Tax subsidies
• Also procedural transparency
• Zoning and environmental appropriateness.
• Rejection petition on change.org has also been signed by more than 1500 people.

Developer Position

• External noise tests argue that they are within the limits of the city.
• Cooling system is worked through closed-loop water recycling.
• Also no foreseen effect on local electricity supply.
• Claims project will also serve hospitals, factories and automotive industry.

Next Steps

• More studies will be introduced in the meeting in March.
• Proposal to be reconsidered by Planning Commission.