Memphis City Council approves $820,000 sale of Plant Road parcel amid community concerns over XAI data center and water use

The Memphis City Council voted 9–0, with one abstention, on March 18 to approve the sale of a city-owned parcel at 2685 Plant Road for $820,000, a vote that drew more than a dozen public speakers warning of environmental and procedural risks tied to XAI and related data‑center activity.

The resolution, sponsored by the administration and introduced as Item 15, authorizes the sale of the parcel identified as parcel ID 05010100054 in Shelby County (District 6, Super District 8). Councilman JB Smiley moved the item; Vice Chair Janice Swearingen Washington seconded. Council members cast their votes after an extended public‑comment period; Councilmember Logan recorded an abstention.

The matter drew sustained public comment from neighborhood and environmental advocates who said the sale is connected to XAI and raised unanswered questions about water use, air emissions and community engagement. Advocates urged the council to pause the sale until residents could review project designs and regulators could evaluate environmental impacts.

During public comment, Sarah Houston, identifying herself as a representative of Protector Aquifer, said the group supports a wastewater‑recycling facility but urged caution because of large current regional water withdrawals. "They are using 7,000,000 gallons of water a day, and they're competing with Boxtown, Westwood, Mallory Heights during extreme weather events," Houston said. She asked the council…