In St. Louis, developers plan a 120‑MW, 525,000‑sq‑ft hyperscale data centre on the former Armory site, part of a $3.1 billion Armory Innovation District. The project received a conditional use permit from the city’s Board of Adjustment in June 2024.
But the approval sparked opposition. On August 8, 2024, community groups led by Kerry McCullen and Daniel Pate filed a lawsuit in St. Louis Circuit Court, arguing the permit violated state law and ignored health and environmental studies. They sought to halt construction and demand independent assessments.
In retaliation, TeraWatt Infrastructure filed its own complaint on August 20, 2024, claiming that Board of Adjustment conditions—such as imposing a 2.4‑MW renewable‑energy requirement and requiring city aldermen approval of a community‑benefits agreement—exceed the board’s statutory authority and would make the project unfeasible.
Developers maintain that the data centre will create 1,000 temporary construction jobs, 200 permanent positions, and $432 million in tax revenue over ten years, with half earmarked for public schools. Ron Kitchens, CEO of Greater St. Louis, voiced support, saying the facility would bring high‑wage jobs to local electricians.
The city’s Council is reviewing the lawsuits while the St. Louis Circuit Court has set a hearing for September 30, 2024. A ruling will determine whether the project can proceed, potentially reshaping Midtown’s skyline and the region’s tech economy.