Data center developers hopeful ahead of vote; close on property with Charah

Brian Regli, a consultant for the company seeking to construct a large data center in Springdale, says he’s optimistic the project will be approved by borough council next month.

Land developer Allegheny DC Property Co. wrapped up its testimony during a five-hour meeting Monday night. That came a week after Springdale’s planning commission OK’d the project.

Borough Solicitor Craig Alexander said council intends to vote on the developers’ conditional-use application at its meeting Dec. 16.

“I think we’ve earned enough trust to get those ‘yes’ votes if we get them,” Regli said.

Last week, Allegheny DC, which is owned by New York-based hedge fund Davidson Kempner, also completed its purchase of the 47-acre plot from Charah, the remediation firm responsible for demolishing the former Cheswick Generating Station.

According to Allegheny County property records, the developers paid Charah $14.3 million for the parcel along Porter Street.

Regli said investors decided to act on the sale because of the positive direction of the borough process and power studies commissioned by the company.

Charah President Scott Resch­ly said his company and Allegheny DC had been under contract since January 2024 after negotiating throughout 2023.

But now that the sale is complete, Charah has finished its work at the site, he said.

“It feels really good to be able to complete what we wanted to do,” Reschly said.

Reschly said he enjoyed working in Springdale, which makes Charah’s exit from the borough “bittersweet.”

As for the near future, Springdale Borough Manager Terry Carcella said he expects council to add further conditions on the data center project and adjust existing ones during closed-door, executive session meeting in early December.

He said he anticipates those adjustments or additions would be related to public safety and noise.

Despite the short turnaround, Carcella still expects a final vote next month.

“We’re moving along rather quickly on this,” he said.

If developers get approval for the project, Regli would expect to return with a more detailed model for the project in March or April and potential land development plans next September.

Those plans could include things like the make and model of proposed backup generators, lead times for certain items and further sound studies, Regli said.

“I’m excited to see this project move forward,” he said. “I think it’s truly transformational.”

If the project is rejected, Regli said, developers would consider appealing the case to Allegheny County Court if council’s reason for rejection were legally questionable.

Otherwise, Allegheny DC could try again with a modified conditional use application, he said.