The Irving City Council has unanimously agreed on a huge rezoning proposal in which the University of Dallas and KDC, the commercial real estate developer, will be converting university-owned land into a campus designed for a data center. The need to handle data and artificial intelligence in the region is booming.
Strategic Shift from Office to Data Centers
At first, the land along State Highway 114 at Braniff Drive was zoned for office or multifamily. However, prevailing market conditions made such developments financially infeasible. So the university could carry out site data center development on the property; that led to a proposal for a project that would contain approximately 770,000 square feet of data center space on 67.3 acres.
Enhancing the Local Landscape and Economy
It was to be low-profile, designed to fit in with the aesthetics of the neighbouring Cistercian Abbey and Preparatory School. The data center was expected to boost the local economy by converting tax-exempt land into a taxable asset, contributing millions in property taxes annually.
Partnership and Project Highlights
University of Dallas President Jonathan J. Sanford thanked the council for its advocacy, touting the value the school places on their partnership with KDC. In a prepared statement, Steve Van Amburgh, CEO of KDC, said the firm has developed more than a dozen major data center projects.
Infrastructure and Strategic Location
Its strategic location within the “mobility crossroads of Dallas-Fort Worth” means it has access to the major highways and airports. Paired with local transmission line enhancements by Oncor, this location provides the necessary high power capacity for hyper-scale data centers that are so critical. Fueling the site is ample nearby fiber access, which makes this site an extraordinary choice for a data center campus.
Design and Development Team
Corgan is leading the design work. Telios is the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineer, and Kimley-Horn is the civil engineer. The project is presently in design, with completion anticipated by early 2027.
Broader Impact and Future Prospects
It’s part of a much larger trend: data center developments in North Texas signal the growing importance of the region in data storage and processing. With North Texas already the second largest market in the nation for colocation, Irving’s project will add to a national profile that looks to boost the area’s standing overall.
Effectively, Irving City Council’s approval is a major stepping stone for the University of Dallas and KDC as they hope to deliver economic benefits with improved technological infrastructure for the community.
