Springdale Dynamo data center (former Cheswick power plant)
Also called: Springdale Dynamo, Dynamo DC, Allegheny DC Property Co.
A company bought the old Cheswick coal plant site in Springdale and plans a large AI data center of about 565,000 square feet. The borough approved it in December 2025 despite strong local opposition. Allegheny County still has to approve the land development plan, and residents want an air permit for the generators first.
Where things stand: Borough council approved a conditional use permit 5-2 in December 2025. Allegheny County land development review is pending; a public hearing is expected in fall 2026.
🕒 Latest update (June 10, 2026): Developer showed new designs: generators moved to the ground, lower building, closed-loop cooling, solar panels. Plans sent to Allegheny County for land development review.
Springdale Borough Council. We don't know yet if Springdale Dynamo data center (former Cheswick power plant) is on the agenda. Call the office to check before you go.
What we know
- 📍 WhereFormer Cheswick Generating Station site along the Allegheny River, Springdale, Allegheny County
- 🏢 CompanyAllegheny DC Property Co. LLC (now branded Dynamo DC)
- 🏛️ Owned byBacked by Davidson Kempner Capital Management (reported)
- 🌳 Size50 acres
- ⚡ Power it needs180 megawatts (about as much as 144,000 homes)
- 🔌 Where the power comes fromElectric grid connection at the old power plant site; solar panels in parking lot; battery backup
- 💧 WaterPublic (municipal) water for the first fill, not the Allegheny River (developer's statement); water company not named
- ❄️ CoolingClosed-loop water cooling with its own water treatment plant (updated June 2026 design)
- 🛢️ Diesel generatorsyes - diesel backup generators, moved to ground level inside double walls in the June 2026 design; number not public
- 👷 Jobs promised100
❓ Still unanswered
Nobody has answered these in public yet. Can you help find out?
- When is the Allegheny County public hearing on the land development plan? 🙋 I'll find out
- Will the Allegheny County Health Department require an air permit for the diesel generators, and how many generators are planned? 🙋 I'll find out
- Who is the tenant or end user? 🙋 I'll find out
- Where will the water come from and how much will it use per day? 🙋 I'll find out
- Will new power lines or a new substation be needed? 🙋 I'll find out
- Was a secret deal (NDA) signed with the borough? 🙋 I'll find out
- Will the project ask for a tax break? 🙋 I'll find out
- Which water company will supply the Springdale data center, and how many gallons a day will it need for top-ups once running? 🙋 I'll find out
What happened so far
- Aug 6, 2025At a community meeting, the developer said the data center would take water from a municipal water system, not the river, and then reuse it for cooling.
- Sept 28, 2025The developer said filling ('charging') the closed-loop cooling system would take about 500,000 gallons at the start, spread over days or weeks, with small top-ups after that to replace water that evaporates.
- Nov 17, 2025Springdale planning commission recommended approval.
- Nov 19, 2025Developer bought the former Cheswick power plant site.
- Dec 16, 2025Borough council voted 5-2 to approve the conditional use permit. Members said they feared a lawsuit if they said no. Every public speaker opposed it.
- June 10, 2026Developer showed new designs: generators moved to the ground, lower building, closed-loop cooling, solar panels. Plans sent to Allegheny County for land development review.
Local votes and rules
✅ Approved
Springdale council voted 5-2 to approve a conditional use permit for a large data center at the old Cheswick coal power plant site. Residents who spoke opposed it, but most council members said a denial would likely be overturned in court.
Drag the slider to compare the land before and now.
Where this comes from
- Pittsburgh-area hyperscale data center gets green light · WESA · Dec 16, 2025
- Springdale, Allegheny County data center · The Allegheny Front · Dec 16, 2025
- Springdale data center shows new designs; opponents not stopped · WESA · June 11, 2026
- How ICE and a data center turned a small Pittsburgh suburb into a civic battleground · WTOP (AP/wire) · Aug 2026
- Data center industry expands hopes in Western Pa., but its future remains uncertain · Tribune-Review / Mon Valley Independent · Aug 3, 2026
- PA DEP Data Center Permit Tracker · Pennsylvania DEP · Oct 6, 2026
- Former site of Springdale power plant could become high-tech AI data center · CBS News Pittsburgh · Aug 6, 2025
- Everything we know about the proposed Springdale data center · TribLive (Valley News Dispatch) · Sept 28, 2025
- Notice of 2026 Public Meetings · Springdale Borough · Oct 6, 2026
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