Texas Court Weighs Fate of Data Center Project in Taylor

Dispute Over Land Use

GEORGETOWN — A legal battle in Williamson County could decide whether land in Taylor becomes home to a massive data center or preserved as a park.

The case, now before the 395th state District Court, centers on 53 acres at 1601 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., where Blueprint Data Centers plans to build a 60-megawatt facility. Neighbors argue the land was originally promised as green space.

Judge Ryan Larson heard arguments Monday on whether to lift or make permanent a temporary restraining order against the project. A ruling is expected soon.

Property Rights vs. Community Promises

The plaintiffs say the land’s former owners, the Cromwell family, donated it in 1999 to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation with a stipulation: it should be “held in trust for future use as parkland by Williamson County.”

That condition, they argue, was later dropped from subsequent transfers. The city of Taylor eventually acquired the land and zoned it for industrial use.

Blueprint’s attorneys counter that the deed contains no enforceable restrictions.

“I agree this is about property rights. It’s about property rights in Texas,” said Christopher R. Mugica, attorney for Blueprint CEO Yaerid Jacob. “My client owns that property. He is free to develop and improve that property as every Texas citizen is with their property.”

Real estate appraiser David Bolton testified that enforceable restrictions are typically written into the body of deeds, not just stated in a line at the top.

Neighbors Push Back

Several residents, including siblings Pamela, Corey, Michelle and Ralph Griffin, along with neighbor Polly Randle, are asking the court to uphold the Cromwell family’s intentions.

Pamela Griffin told the court that Frank Cromwell, a previous owner, let neighborhood children fish in the creek and camp on the land. “(Frank Cromwell) was a gentle soul and he allowed us to have something because he used to let us play there all the time,” she said.

Community members filled the courtroom in support, many wearing red. Carrie D’Anna, who lives nearby, said she was encouraged by the turnout.

“I think the fact we’re coming with a deed issue, and that the data center brought all these other issues into the case, really shows they have a need to be concerned about who has the right to use that property,” D’Anna said.

City Incentives and Concerns

Blueprint purchased the land from the Taylor Economic Development Corp. for $10 million. Jacob testified he has already invested about $3 million in the project.

The Taylor City Council approved an incentive package in 2024, offering the company a 50% rebate on property taxes for 10 years on each phase of the $1 billion project. A matching rebate would apply to local sales and use taxes on construction materials.

The city also testified that a 15-acre buffer lies between the proposed data center and nearby homes, but parkland is not part of the city’s plans for that area.

Opponents have raised environmental concerns, citing noise, light, and electromagnetic effects.

Future of the Land

If the court rules against Blueprint, the land could be redirected toward regional park use, except for the 15 acres still owned by the city.

For now, both sides await Judge Larson’s decision, which could reshape the future of the south side of Taylor.