The data center proposal in Landover, Maryland. Project Overview: Brightseat Tech Park
The text details a massive $5 billion proposal by Lerner Enterprises to transform the former Landover Mall site into a data center campus.
Scope: Five buildings totaling 4.1 million square feet on an 87-acre parcel.
Resource Impact: Projected to use up to 820 megawatts of power. 1
New $5B Data Center Campus on Former Landover Mall Site to Break Ground in 2026
Initial Timeline: Final approvals were secured in October 2024, with groundbreaking planned initially for 2026 or 2027.
Current Status: Halted
As of September 2025, the project is under an official pause.
The Moratorium: Prince George's County Executive Aisha Braveboy issued an executive order halting new data center applications, and the County Council passed a 180-day moratorium on permits.
Purpose: This pause allows the county to review findings from a "Qualified Data Center Task Force" established to study the economic and environmental impacts of such facilities.
The Core Debate
The project has sparked significant conflict between economic interests and community welfare.
Arguments Against (The Opposition)
Community Backlash: Over 20,000 people signed a petition to stop the build, citing a lack of transparency during the initial approval process.
Environmental Concerns: Residents fear increased noise, light, and heat pollution, as well as the strain on the Chesapeake Bay watershed and local water/energy supplies.
Quality of Life: Concerns regarding the loss of tree cover and negative impacts on property values and local views.
Arguments For (The Proponents)
Economic Boom: Supporters argue the center would generate significant tax revenue to help state and county budget shortfalls.
Employment: The Maryland Tech Council notes that data center jobs offer salaries significantly higher than the state average.
Low Maintenance: Data centers generally require fewer government services than other types of development.
Data centers Event by Delegate Jamila J. Woods and Candice Camille Oxon Hill Branch Library
Duration: 2 hr Location: Oxon Hill Library – 6200 Oxon Hill Rd, Oxon Hill, MD 20745. Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025. Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM. Free and open to the public. Let’s protect our communities — together. Data centers are rapidly expanding across Maryland — including right here in Prince George’s County. Join Delegate Jamila J. Woods for a special community dialogue where we’ll break down what data centers are, where they’re being built, and how they could impact our utilities, environment, and neighborhoods. Free and open to the public.
Delegate Jamila J. Woods - What Do Data Centers Mean for Us?
Qualified Data Centers: Community Meeting
Saturday, October 25, 2025
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Prince George’s County Sports and Learning Complex - Fieldhouse Prince George’s County is studying the potential risks, community benefits, and revenue potential of Qualified Data Center uses. The Qualified Data Center Task Force will explore:
Existing and future local energy demands
The potential impact on ratepayers and taxpayers in meeting future energy demands
The environmental impact of data centers on air, water, and woodland quality and supply in Prince George’s County
The impact on quality-of-life aspects of areas surrounding data centers
The M-NCPPC Prince George’s County Planning Department invites you to attend a community meeting to learn more about the initiative!
Register: pgplan.org/pgcdatacentersoct
To request a disability or language accommodation, call 301-952-3038, Maryland Relay 711, or email PublicAffairs@ppd.mncppc.org.
Contact Us: https://www.pgccouncil.us/1051/Qualified-Data-Center-Task-Force, datacenters@ppd.mncppc.org
