Thu Dec 11 12:50:00 UTC 2025: Chandler City Council Faces Pressure as Data Center Proposal Sparks Controversy

Chandler, AZ – The Chandler City Council is set to vote December 11 on a controversial data center and tech park project, the Price Road Innovation Campus, proposed by New York-based Active Infrastructure. The project, aiming to build an AI-focused data center in the Price Road corridor, has drawn both support and opposition from residents and city officials.

The debate intensified following reports that former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema, now a lobbyist with Hogan Lovells and founder of the AI Infrastructure Coalition, has been advocating for the project. Concerns have been raised regarding the project’s design, potential environmental impact, and limited job creation.

During an October Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, Sinema warned city officials of potential federal intervention if the project was rejected, citing her close ties to the Trump administration on AI-related matters.

Councilmember OD Harris has publicly criticized the project, stating it doesn’t align with Chandler’s policies that prioritize projects boosting the economy while protecting resources. He refuted claims of federal preemption on land-use decisions.

Public opinion appears largely against the project, with the city receiving over 100 emails in opposition. Residents expressed concerns about energy consumption, water usage, noise pollution, and the project’s overall impact on the city’s quality of life.

Despite the controversy, land-use attorney Adam Baugh, representing Active Infrastructure, contends the $2.5 billion investment will create approximately 1,000 jobs and address concerns about water and energy consumption.

The city’s Planning and Zoning Commission approved the project 5-1. The final decision now rests with the Chandler City Council.

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