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Residents press Urbana council for transparency on data center; citizens' committee seeks independent studies
Summary
Multiple residents told Urbana City Council they lack confidence in the city's handling of a proposed data center and asked for more transparency; a volunteer Data Center Moratorium Committee reported 422 research questions and requested independent licensed studies, including an acoustic study quoted at roughly $22,000.
Residents at the May 19 Urbana City Council meeting urged the council to release records and ensure rigorous review of a proposed data center project, while a volunteer committee told council it needs funds for independent studies to produce credible findings.
At least two speakers raised concerns about transparency and contract language. Resident Erin Patton provided paperwork and asked whether the law firm Bricker Graydon still represents the city, requested that committee minutes and agendas be posted online and asked that council receive training on Sunshine Laws. Resident Brad Winner said his review of documents showed data‑center agreement language that could allow transfer of site rights and said the project has been in motion since 2024.
Joe Buckalew, co‑chair of the citizen Data Center Moratorium Committee, told council the volunteer group has ‘‘accumulated 422 individual research questions so far’’ and located roughly 80 resources. Buckalew said the committee is not an advocate but a research body; he told council the group needs independent, licensed professionals to make findings credible and reported a first quote of about $22,000 for an acoustic/noise study. Buckalew said the committee prefers the developer to pay for technical studies but asked council how the committee could procure funding if needed. He described the committee's November timeline as “obtainable but tight.”
Mayor Bill Bean responded to criticism about public statements, saying he reported information he received from a realtor and called personal attacks on staff or council inappropriate. Several residents told the council they feel their concerns have not been listened to and that trust is eroding.
Council members agreed to schedule additional meetings and to meet with committee leaders about funding options; Director of Finance Matt Wellbaum said the city could consider a supplemental appropriation if needed and called for numerical estimates before committing funds. The Data Center Moratorium Committee will report further as it develops its findings.
