Prince George's County, Maryland, has effectively blocked a proposed $5 billion data center campus on the site of the former Landover Mall following sustained community opposition led by local resident Taylor Frazier McCollum. The project, which received initial approval from county planners in 2024, was set to occupy more than 80 acres of the 90-acre vacant lot. The halt in development comes amid a broader national trend, with approximately 500 moratoriums on data centers imposed across the United States, according to varying estimates.
Frazier McCollum, who lives less than a mile from the proposed site, emerged as a central figure in the opposition after learning of the plan. Despite not being a homeowner—having been evicted in 2024 and subsequently living with her grandfather—she organized a petition that gathered over 25,000 signatures. Her efforts culminated in multiple local moratoriums that prevented the project from breaking ground between 2026 and 2027.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive and community activists frame the opposition as a civil rights and environmental justice issue. Staci Hartwell, a longtime local environmental activist, noted that Frazier McCollum’s involvement revitalized a struggle that had previously lacked traction. "This is something that was happening in her neighborhood, and it was really like her awakening," Hartwell said.
Frazier McCollum has since broadened her activism, traveling to Black communities in Atlanta, Memphis, and Zambia to build coalitions against hyperscale data centers. She argues that the projects bring water pollution and diesel generation to residential areas without adequate benefit to existing residents. "Why would you want to bring water-polluting, diesel-generating data centers right down the street from where people live, work, play? It just didn't make sense to me," Frazier McCollum stated.
Her father, Lacy McCollum Jr., characterized the fight as rooted in fundamental rights. "We're talking about the right to water, the right to clean air, the right to a place to live. That's everybody's fight, right?" Lacy McCollum Jr. said, comparing her role to historical civil rights leaders.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative and pro-development voices within the county emphasize the economic necessity of large-scale projects amid fiscal pressures. County Council member Wanika Fisher, who supports moving some data center projects forward, highlighted the county’s need for revenue. "Our county has an economic future that we have to grapple with," Fisher said during a county council meeting. "I don't see where the money is coming from. I think we have to have a real conversation. And I'm not saying that a data center is the answer, but I'm saying it's worth the hard discussion."
The argument for development is strengthened by recent economic losses in the region. Last year, a local Six Flags theme park closed, and the NFL's Washington Commanders announced plans to relocate to neighboring Washington, D.C. Additionally, thousands of federal workers have lost their jobs, contributing to a county budget deficit. Proponents argue that blocking the $5 billion project removes a significant potential source of tax revenue needed to address these shortfalls.
What the Numbers Show
The proposed data center campus was valued at $5 billion and was approved by county planners in 2024. The site covers nearly 90 acres, with the development expected to occupy more than 80 acres. Frazier McCollum’s petition collected over 25,000 signatures, demonstrating significant local engagement.
Nationwide, data from various monitoring groups indicates approximately 500 moratoriums on data center development, though estimates vary. The halt of the Landover project has left the site vacant since the mall closed in 2002. Frazier McCollum has proposed alternative uses for the land, including a sports complex, affordable housing, or heritage tourism initiatives, though she acknowledges these options would not be as lucrative as the data center campus.
The Bottom Line
The blockage of the Landover data center illustrates the growing tension between rapid infrastructure development for AI and cloud computing and local community concerns over environmental impact and economic displacement. While the moratoriums have paused the $5 billion investment, Prince George's County faces a continued budget deficit and loss of other major employers.
Frazier McCollum is now advocating for a full ban on data center projects in the area and has received grants to expand her activism nationally. She has not ruled out running for office in the future but stated that her immediate priorities are resolving personal housing and debt issues. County officials continue to debate how to balance environmental protections with the need for revenue in a post-pandemic and post-federal-job-loss economy.