ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Revised plans for a data center in south Allentown will go before the city’s planning commission next week.
The proposal by Quantm Group LLC calls for converting a vacant 224,000-square-foot warehouse at 2401 W. Emaus Avenue into an 80-megawatt data center. An electrical substation would be added to the property.
The location is in the city’s General Industrial (I-3) zoning district.
The Allentown Planning Commission first reviewed the plans at a meeting in July. No action was taken then; it was agreed that the developer would adjust the plans based on the commission’s feedback and face further review at a future meeting.
Now that meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 8.
According to Allentown Managing Director Frank Kane, the site design has undergone several changes:
• Substation relocated from the frontage along W. Emaus Avenue to the south side of the property to reduce visual, noise, and safety impacts.
• Sound attenuation walls have been added around mechanical equipment areas.
• Excess pavement and impervious coverage removed and replaced with landscaping.
• Existing sidewalk connection to Emaus Avenue retained.
• Existing street front vegetation preserved and supplemented with additional shrubs and evergreen screening.
• Two bicycle racks added and space provided for a potential bus shelter.
Tuesday’s meeting begins at 12:15 p.m. inside Allentown City Council chambers at City Hall at 435 Hamilton Street.
The 2401 W. Emaus Avenue plan is one of two data center proposals on the table in Allentown. The other calls for a 146,000 square-foot data center at 1024 N. Bradford Street, adjacent to Coca-Cola Park.