Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development meeting, September 12, 2023
- When: Tue, Sep 12, 2023, 1:30 PM (Chicago time)
- Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development
- Video: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/862124334
- Transcript: full text (2,355 words, official captions)
Meeting notes
AI-written from the transcript. Speakers are inferred from cues in the recording, so treat names as estimates and check the video at the linked time.
The Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development deferred two special service area appointments pending alderperson support and recommended passage of a substitute ordinance granting a Class 6B tax incentive for a planned $275 million data center at 1951 West Hastings Street in the 28th Ward. The Department of Planning and Development described community benefits negotiated with the developer, including school technology investment, free public Wi-Fi locations on the West Side, a student learning program, security cameras and minority and women business participation goals. Alderperson Jason C. Ervin supported the project as an opportunity for West Side young people to enter the technology field, and members asked what a data center does and whether Austin would benefit. One member of the public spoke about a personal mortgage fraud dispute.
Topics: Class 6B tax incentive, data center, Illinois Medical District, community benefits, special service areas
Agenda items discussed
- 10:17 Deferral of appointments to SSA 3 and SSA 42: deferred
- 12:27 Substitute ordinance approving Class 6B tax incentive for data center at 1951 West Hastings (28th Ward): passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Gilbert Villegas (chair): Explained that the SSA 3 appointment was deferred because Alderperson Stephanie D. Coleman had not yet approved it. (10:55); Noted the data center developer is African American and likely the first African American-led data center developer in the country, and congratulated the team. (26:47)
- Raymond A. Lopez (alderperson): Asked why the first SSA appointment was being deferred. (10:52)
- Jason C. Ervin (alderperson): Supported the data center in the Illinois Medical District, saying its community benefits would reach CHA residents and Garfield Park and open technology careers to West Side young people. (22:24); Said community programs tied to the project would include schools in Austin and other West Side neighborhoods. (25:42)
- Daniel La Spata (alderperson): Asked the developers to explain what a data center is and how it supports economic activity in Chicago. (24:00)
- Emma Mitts (alderperson): Asked whether the project's community services would be provided to the Austin area. (25:19)
Exchanges between members
- 10:50 Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez asked the chair why the SSA appointment was being deferred.
- 25:19 Alderperson Emma Mitts asked Alderperson Jason C. Ervin whether the project would serve Austin.
- 25:42 Alderperson Jason C. Ervin answered Alderperson Emma Mitts that community programs would include Austin schools.