Loudoun Residents Oppose Amazon Data Center Plans

Amazon has filed an application to transform George Washington University's campus in Loudoun County, Virginia, into new data centers. The proposal, called 'Bridgefield Tech Center,' aims to use outdated zoning policies to complete the project without review by the Loudoun County Planning Commission or public hearings.

The site plan application seeks approval for four data center buildings at George Washington University's Virginia Science and Technology campus in Ashburn, covering 800,000 square feet of space. Supervisor Juli Briskman, whose district includes the project site, said that Amazon plans to honor the university's ability to continue operating on campus for up to five years after construction starts.

Loudoun residents are pushing back against the proposal, concerned about the area becoming a 'concrete jungle.' Supervisor Briskman shared their sentiments, stating that the plan is not only inappropriate due to its proximity to homes and parks but also contradicts the original intent of the property as a research and development site.

Amazon responded with a statement indicating it has been one of Loudoun's largest taxpayers, paying over $2.1 billion in property taxes and fees between 2016 and 2025. The company expressed its intention to work with community stakeholders throughout the review process.