By Angeles Ponpa
PEKIN, Ill. (25 News) – As of Monday, the proposed data center in Pekin has an 11-month timeline before additional due diligence money would be required to keep the contract moving forward.
In a back-and-forth with Pekin City Council members during a meeting Tuesday, the city’s Attorney Jim Vasselli said Pekin is now pushing for answers from Western Hospitality Partners, the company looking to pursue a possible data center on part of the 1,000-acre Lutticken Property.
Vasselli told council and concerned residents that the city is urging WHP to make a decision amid state and national concerns on data centers, but he did not say which direction the city wants to go in.
A memorandum for due diligence was issued, as requested by concerned residents in Pekin in past city council meetings, but Mayor Mary Burress said it is confidential amongst the board.
“[The memorandum] did address due diligence and the fact that we are pressing them with regards to their due diligence and basically putting them in a position where they need to make a decision,” Vasselli said during the meeting.
“We are pressing them to make a decision in light of the evolving, let’s say, circumstances with regards to data centers both nationally and regionally and statewide,” he continued.
Residents near the Lutticken Property in Pekin continued to voice concerns, this time about both their economic and property values.
Dave Milan, who owns a tree farm business on the Lutticken Property, spoke up for the fifth time during Monday’s Pekin City Council meeting.
“You know what I’m not doing? I’m not putting up a quarter of a million-dollar new building I was going to put up because I’m afraid to,” Milan said. “I will lose my appreciation in the property if I do, and they [would] build a data center that is next to the situation, so you can understand my situation too,” he continued.
Mayor Burress told 25 News that the city is trying to walk “gently” with the data center proposal.
WHP would still need to request a zoning change application for the property, which is currently zoned agricultural, before that 11-month timeline runs out. As of now, the company has not filed that request.
Vasselli mentioned that if WHP moves forward with an application for zoning change, there will be space for public comment, emphasizing importance to keep the community involved. Burress agreed.
“I think it’s super important, and I think the board wants as many people to come out and express their feelings and their voice about this [data center] as they come through including the neighboring property owners,” Vasselli said.
The 1,000 acre Lutticken Property is the site of a proposed data center opposed by many residents in Pekin. (25 News)
