Data center tower may not replace historic downtown building
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The Western Union building at 10th and Central. Photo: Travis Meier/Axios
Plans to replace a 126-year-old building with a data center skyscraper are facing fierce opposition, even as the property's owner says it may not happen.
Why it matters: The proposal to demolish the occupied building, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, adds a preservation fight to the growing political backlash over data centers.
Driving the news: The Downtown Neighborhood Association says more than 80 residents attended a public meeting with the owner Monday night at Something Good.
- "The Downtown Neighborhood Association opposes the project without reservation," association president Peter Carnesciali tells Axios, adding he didn't hear "a single person in favor of the development."
Flashback: Revitalization Unlimited bought the building last year.
- CEO Steve Austin told Axios in January the recently renovated building was profitable in its current use.
- "Something would really have to pop out and catch our attention to kind of make us want to kind of alter the current operations that are ongoing," Austin said at the time.
Yes, but: That month, Revitalization Unlimited's architecture team filed for a meeting with city staff about a tower at the site, the Kansas City Business Journal reported.
- In June, the company officially submitted plans for a 20-story data center with ground-level retail.
Between the lines: Despite the tower plans, Revitalization Unlimited deeded the building to a preservation land trust in December, which would prevent its demolition.
- Austin says online that part of his company's business plan is to "take a charitable deduction for the lost opportunity, had we redeveloped the building to its maximum potential."
- Investors could deduct up to 50% of their gross income through the contribution.
What they're saying: "It's too early to tell whether the project can move forward or be funded," Austin tells Axios, adding he is "acting in the best interest of our investors."
- "We question if they actually even intend to build it," Carnesciali says.
Reality check: Kansas City updated its zoning code in January to restrict where developers can build data centers, KCUR reported.
- The tower could still move forward through a special-use permit as long as the data center doesn't occupy more than half of the ground floor.
What's next: Austin has until Oct. 15 to claim the tax deduction. If he does, the data center project cannot move forward.