The Minnesota Star Tribune reports…
A Virginia-based data center developer signed a purchase agreement for the Minnesota Star Tribune’s former printing plant, one of the last remaining large industrial sites in Minneapolis’ North Loop.
A Star Tribune spokesman on Wednesday confirmed the company reached a deal with Legacy Investing, the firm that transformed part of downtown’s Sleep Number Building into a data center for artificial intelligence and cloud computing.
A similar data center is at the heart of Legacy’s plans for the Star Tribune’s 13 acres, located at 800 N. 1st St., just west of the Mississippi River at the north edge of downtown Minneapolis. Managing partner Daniel English said the firm is envisioning a mixed-use development, incorporating elements such as housing or retail buoyed by anticipated profits from a data center. …
Demand for data centers has exploded in recent years to meet the vast computing needs of artificial intelligence. The boom is sparking controversies across the country, pitting economic promises against fears about water use, energy use and noise. This response is prompting state and local governments, including Minneapolis, to weigh new regulations for the rapidly expanding industry.
Some details…
The sale is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year, pending provisions such as city approval of a conditional use permit, said Chris Iles, the Star Tribune’s vice president of communications and brand marketing. He declined to disclose the property’s prospective price.