Amazon cancels four planned data centers in Loudoun County

Amazon has abandoned plans for four data centers at the former George Washington University campus in Loudoun County, Virginia, near Washington, D.C. The company says most of the 122-acre site will instead become housing and mixed-use development following discussions with local officials, Tom’s Hardware reported on October 23.

Amazon submitted its data-center proposal in July. At a September meeting with Phyllis J. Randall, the county board chair, the company was asked to consider another use for the land.

Amazon explains its decision

Data centers house computing and storage systems used for cloud services. Loudoun County already has a large concentration of these facilities. Tom’s Hardware describes residents’ concerns about noise and power demand as part of the backdrop to the county’s changing approach to new projects.

Josh Weissman, Amazon’s vice president responsible for data-center development, said the company considered the county’s concerns about this particular site. He said Amazon and the county disagreed about the property’s legal development potential, but the company preferred a shared plan for the campus to costly litigation.

Land for public facilities and funding for housing

Randall credited dialogue with Amazon for the agreement. She said it would create places for residents to gather, make art and play, and provide more attainable homes for working families.

Alongside the planned residential and mixed-use redevelopment, Amazon will donate 25 acres to Loudoun County for a community arts center and a new recreational facility. It will also contribute $5 million to the county’s housing fund, Tom’s Hardware reported, citing The Washington Post.