Hundreds of residents throughout southwest Atlanta turned out Monday night at the Georgia State University Convocation Center to debate a data center development planned near the West End MARTA station.
The project by Digital Realty has divided new and legacy residents across Adair Park, Mechanicsville, Pittsburgh, Peoplestown, and Summerhill. Over 200 people came to the NPU-V meeting, with shouts, cheers, and laughter echoing throughout the arena as the meeting ran an hour past its scheduled end.
The vote ended 105-87 against the data center, but it's far from settled. NPU-V's vote is advisory. The Atlanta City Council and zoning board will make the final decision. Data centers have become one of the fastest-growing development types in Atlanta, sparking pushback across the state due to concerns about energy consumption, environmental impacts, and rising utility bills.
The debate has triggered broader questions about land use and who gets a seat at the table when rapid development reshapes historically Black neighborhoods on Atlanta's southwest side.
