The construction of a multi-million-square-foot data center in Prince William County, Virginia, doesn’t sound particularly exciting on its face, but hundreds of residents stayed up all night to debate it.
The Prince William Digital Gateway project would bring more than 27 million square feet of data center space, which would be built near Pageland Lane and the Manassas Civil War battlefield.
The county’s Board of County Supervisors voted 5-2 to move forward with the plan following a marathon public comment period that went on for about 9.5 hours.
About 200 concerned citizens showed up at Tuesday night's meeting to advocate for and against the gateway — the only item on the agenda. The public comments wrapped up Wednesday morning, then supervisors voted.
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After the public comment period, the board OK'd The Comprehensive Plan amendment, changing the designation of the land developers have eyed for the data centers and setting up development guidelines, Inside NOVA reports.
People in favor of the project say it will bring in revenue that can fund police and fire departments and schools.
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“This is a great source of revenue for the county, will not require the infrastructure that more developments will bring,” one speaker said.
But the proposed location of the Digital Gateway Project is one reason it’s such a hot topic. Other residents are concerned it would alter the rural and historic character of the area.
“You will have to contend with those massive power lines coming through your neighborhoods all because of this decision. We should pump the brakes,” another speaker said.
Some lawmakers had tried to delay the vote ahead of the meeting.
Members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors wrote a letter to Prince William leaders, citing concerns for the environment, particularly the health of the Occoquan watershed that provides drinking water to both counties.
The amendment at the center of Tuesday and Wednesday's debate lays out limits on permitted noise from the project and encourages water quality measures.
Here’s more information on the project and how to submit a comment.
