Kansas City Data Center Proposal Faces Opposition Over Historic Building Demolition

A proposed Kansas City data center in the Quality Hill neighborhood is facing strong opposition from local residents and preservation groups. The project would occupy a 20-story high-rise designed by SOM.

Miami-based developer Revitalization Unlimited is backing the proposal. SOM designed the 384-foot tower, which would combine data center floors, power infrastructure, cooling systems and public amenities.

According to the project proposal, the tower would feature vertical proportions, repetitive bays and masonry designed to complement the surrounding commercial buildings. At street level, glass-fronted retail would wrap around the corner of Quality Hill’s 10th and Central Streets.

Historic building at center of debate

However, the proposal has raised concerns because developers would need to demolish the Western Newspaper Union building to make way for the tower.

The historic building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As a result, local preservation advocates have opposed its demolition and questioned whether a data center is appropriate for the historic neighborhood.

Plan Commission rejects proposal

The Kansas City Plan Commission unanimously voted against the data center proposal on August 5. The commission received nearly 500 letters opposing the project, while no letters supported it.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas also expressed support for the commission’s decision.

The vote marks a setback for the proposed high-rise data center. At the same time, the debate highlights the challenges cities face as demand for data center infrastructure grows.

For Kansas City, the proposal has raised broader questions about balancing new technology infrastructure with historic preservation and the character of established neighborhoods.