Developer withdraws proposed North Loop data center in former Star Tribune printing plant
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A Virginia-based developer has withdrawn from a deal to transform the former Star Tribune printing facility in Minneapolis into a data center. The proposal drew heavy criticism from residents of the city’s North Loop neighborhood.
Minneapolis spokesperson Jess Olstad confirmed that Legacy Investing withdrew a land use application for the proposed facility, which would have included a 20-megawatt data center as well as other developments at nearby parcels.
“The city looks forward to working with other partners who may wish to look at the future of this site,” Olstad said. The city has not received any additional applications for the site.
Legacy did not respond to requests for comment. Emails to the company bounced back. Legacy previously developed a slightly larger data center in the Sleep Number building in downtown Minneapolis.
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The proposed data center drew strong opposition at neighborhood forums last month from hundreds of city residents, who questioned the environmental impacts of the facility. Residents also doubted the facility would bring lasting jobs to the city.
Representatives for Legacy argued that the facility would only use as much water as two residential homes and that the facility would kickstart other nearby developments.
Data centers have become hot topics in Minnesota and across the country as tech companies seek to build the infrastructure for artificial intelligence operations. Earlier this spring, the Minneapolis City Council passed a six-month ban on data centers larger than 350,000 square feet.
The site is still owned by the Star Tribune which “remains committed to maximizing the value of the Heritage Printing Facility for the benefit of our community and our journalism,” Star Tribune Vice President Chris Iles said in an email statement.
Iles and the Star Tribune did not immediately respond to follow-up questions about why the company terminated the purchase agreement or whether any other developers have plans for the property.
