Police Jury approves Highway 3 Technology Park final plat after lengthy public hearing on data center impacts

The Bossier Parish Police Jury voted to approve the final plat for the Highway 3 Technology Park, a 1,067.331-acre development that proponents said will host data center buildings and associated infrastructure. The vote concluded an extended public hearing in which developers and dozens of residents debated water management, noise compliance, wetlands mitigation and the use of nondisclosure agreements during negotiations.

Stack Infrastructure and Amazon representatives described the site plan and mitigation measures and answered technical questions from jurors and the public. "This project will provide approximately 500 construction jobs and 270 permanent jobs," said William Bradford of Stack Infrastructure, who said state and federal officials have been engaged with the proposal. Bohler Engineering presented site plans and said lots three and four are the initial build sites, with detention ponds designed to meet 100-year standards beyond the parish baseline.

Residents voiced concerns about potential water pollution from cooling systems, the adequacy of monitoring and the use of NDAs. "Consent is required to be governed and knowledge is required," said Suzanne Ellis, a retired attorney, urging more transparency. Several speakers asked whether noncontact cooling water would be discharged to the Red River or treated locally; Kevin Greer of Stack Infrastructure said the development will use the City of Bossier City's water system and that noncontact cooling water options — including state-permitted discharge or treating and hauling off-site — are under review.

Jurors and staff stressed that building permits and operational compliance will be subject to parish ordinances, state permitting, and applicable environmental rules. Parish Attorney Patrick Jackson said the parish will not issue building permits until noise and other compliance requirements are satisfied and reiterated that NDAs used earlier in negotiations were a common business practice. After questions and requests for clarifications about wetlands mitigation, generator fuel sources, and potential tax agreements, jurors approved the final plat by unanimous vote and authorized recordation and execution of related documents.

The police jury recorded no dissenting votes. Next procedural steps include permit reviews and building-permit-level technical approvals; the parish said it will preserve public comments and encourage ongoing communication between residents and project representatives.