Deep Green yanks its data center proposal ahead of Lansing vote

‘We are losing out,’ Lansing chamber says after withdrawal

Lansing city officials said Monday afternoon that the controversial Deep Green data center proposal has been withdrawn, hours before city council members had been expected to vote on a property sale.

Council President Peter Spadafore said in a Facebook post that the withdrawl means “the data center proposal downtown will not move forward.”

He told City Pulse that with the withdrawal, there is no reasonable way for the Deep Green’s data center plans to continue and the council has not been presented with any alternative sites or proposals.

It is possible that another proposal will be presented in the future, Spadafore said, but there is no proposal for council members to consider.

Mayor Andy Schor said, in a statement, that he had been encouraged about the plan but also “heard the concerns raised by some members of the Lansing public.”

He appeared to signal a clean break from the site plan.

“As this property will remain empty parking lots, I ask all those who suggested housing on these parcels to provide their proposals for development into housing. I agree that would be great for this area, and I look forward to seeing those proposals and financing to make this happen. I will keep fighting for economic investments of all types and focus on our future growth so that Lansing remains a great place to live, work and visit.”

The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce said, in a statement signed by President and COO Tim Daman,  that the withdrawal of the $120 million plan was “deeply disappointing.”

“Lansing cannot expect improved services, expanded opportunities and long-term growth while turning away the very investments that make those outcomes possible …. Unfortunately, we are losing out on a significant investment that would have strengthened our economy, expanded opportunities and positioned the Capital City for long-term sucess.”