The bustling construction of a major data center in Port Washington is under new restrictions as city officials respond to growing residential concerns. This development comes after local inhabitants voiced their frustrations about the continuous noise and light disturbances from the $15 billion project.
The Port Washington Plan Commission has decided to restrict the construction hours of the expansive Vantage Data Centers campus. Previously allowed to operate around the clock on weekdays, outdoor construction is now confined to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Monday to Saturday. Furthermore, lighting must be reduced to basic security levels after 8:30 p.m., with these changes taking effect on April 18.
The city issued a statement explaining that this amendment provides Vantage Data Centers with a brief transition period to adjust. This change aims to address concerns like those of Kim Tydrick, a resident living within a mile of the construction site. She expressed her frustration, noting, “It has taken away our quality of life. We moved here for the peace and quiet. I moved here to see the night sky. And we don’t have any of that anymore.”
Other residents, including Dean Wiegert, have also voiced their complaints at public meetings, urging the city council to expedite the transition to more manageable construction hours. “I would just want to urge all of you to do what you can, to please end the 24-hour work, and do it as soon as possible,” Wiegert stated.
Port Washington Mayor Ted Neitzke IV acknowledged these concerns, stating that the allowance for 24-hour construction was temporary, intended to progress the project to indoor work quickly. “Eventually, much of the work on this project will be done indoors and be less noticeable,” Neitzke remarked. However, due to resident feedback, it was decided that the disruption caused by nighttime construction outweighed its benefits.
Once the data center buildings are fully enclosed, construction inside can occur around the clock on weekdays and until late night on Saturdays. Any Sunday work requires city approval and is restricted to one day per month, limited to hours between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Mark Freeman, Vantage Data Centers’ Vice President of Global Marketing, assured in an email that the company is committed to balancing project timelines with community needs. “Our main priorities are to keep the project on schedule, maintain a safe working environment for everyone involved and be considerate of the needs of Port Washington residents,” Freeman communicated.
