1. United States
2. N.C.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed demolition of the historic Court Arcade building in Uptown Charlotte to make way for a new data center. This plan, submitted by Digital Realty, threatens to erase a significant piece of our city's architectural heritage dating back to the 1920s. The proposed four-story data center, while touted as part of Charlotte's efforts to become a modern tech hub, raises serious concerns about sustainability and environmental impact. Data centers are notorious for their excessive water and energy consumption. With over half of North Carolina's 95 data centers already located in the Charlotte area, we must question whether adding another high-resource-consuming facility aligns with our city's sustainability goals. City Council member Dimple Ajmera has rightly emphasized the need for development projects to be in harmony with Charlotte's sustainability objectives. This proposal, however, seems to prioritize short-term economic gains over long-term environmental stewardship and preservation of our cultural landmarks. Furthermore, the demolition of a historic building from the 1920s represents an irreversible loss to Charlotte's architectural landscape and cultural identity. Once destroyed, this piece of our city's history can never be recovered. We should be focusing on adaptive reuse strategies that can blend our rich history with modern needs, rather than wholesale demolition. I urge you to reject Digital Realty's plan and instead advocate for a development approach that preserves the Court Arcade building while meeting our economic and technological needs in a more sustainable manner. Let's demonstrate that Charlotte can embrace progress without sacrificing its heritage or environmental responsibilities. Please take immediate action to halt this demolition plan and initiate a community-driven process to explore alternative development options that respect both our history and our future. The character of our city and the well-being of future generations depend on the decisions we make today.