Port Washington residents continue to demand answers from officials amid growing concerns over $15B data center

PORT WASHINGTON, Wis. (CBS 58) — Concerns over a $15 billion-dollar data center in Port Washington continue to grow as residents demand answers from officials behind the project.

On Tuesday night, residents voiced their displeasure regarding the 24-hour construction during a common council meeting.

"Our community should not become an industrial sacrifice zone for someone else's profit,” one resident said.

According to Port Washington Mayor Ted Neitzke, concerns are being heard.

"We've asked them at this point to voluntarily minimize or mitigate what type of construction they're doing in the evening, especially after seven or eight o'clock in the evening to ensure neighbors are not impacted by that round the clock component,” Mayor Neitzke said.

Plus, the mayor said as crews enter the next construction phase, Vantage Data Centers will communicate their schedule more so residents know what to expect and when — and they’ll create a way for anyone to report construction violations they may see.

"We've also asked them to work with the neighbors, as well as others, to work on the lighting to ensure the lighting is not a distraction, and or directly shining into neighbor's properties,” Mayor Neitzke said.

According to the mayor, Vantage has also hired a community engagement lead whose job will be to address direct community needs and complaints.

But some said that’s still not enough.

"This is ruining people's lives, it's affecting people's mental health, people's physical health, it is affecting our properties, our vehicles, everything,” a resident said.

Officials added they’ll know more at a meeting on March 19 as to a timeline and exact end date for the 24-hour construction.