The construction of a $1 billion Google data center planned by Ryan Cos. on 485 acres in southeastern Minnesota was expected to begin in July, but is now halted by a judge’s order.
Goodhue County District Court Judge Patrick Biren, who issued the ttemporary restraining order, sided with the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA) which had questioned the adequacy of an environmental review of the project known as Project Skyway.
Developer and builder Ryan Cos. estimates that delays to the project, which is expected to see Google occupy a data center and office building as its first tenant, could cost the company $5 million or more, according to the order.
“We are currently reviewing the judge’s order in detail to determine our next steps,” said Ryan Cos. to ENR in an email statement.
The order prevents Ryan from starting construction or continuing any construction activity related to the project that would occupy 100 acres of the site about 15 miles from Rochester, Minn., in a bedroom community of about 3,700 residents.
Without the order, MCEA, which requested the environmental analysis from the city of Pine Island, Minnesota, argues that the Skyway Project could be built without a proper environmental review and without MCEA having the opportunity to [legal] decision on the merits of his challenge to the environmental review.
“MCEA argues that the Skyway project could be constructed without proper environmental review,” the order states. “Furthermore, MCEA’s challenge to the environmental review process would be moot if construction begins.”
By October 2025, the MCEA had requested all documents related to the data center and any other planned ones from the city. He says the documents he received were insufficient and included hyperlinks that did not work.
“MCEA has made a showing of possible success on merit,” the order states. “This factor, therefore, favors the granting of the [temporary restraining order.]”
Pine Island announced the data center in February, noting that it was expected to bring more than $20 million in infrastructure upgrades funded by Google and developers, create full-time operational jobs and long-term construction jobs, generate tens of millions in new property tax revenue for the city and establish a $25 million endowment for Pine Island Public Schools over the next 20 years.
Other plans paid for by the developer under Project Skyway include establishing 18.5 acres dedicated to stormwater treatment; plant more than 300 native grassland trees, pollinators and seed mixes on 40 acres; and establish green spaces that exceed city code requirements.
Even with these elements, the proposed data center drew opposition from residents, who expressed concerns about water use, noise pollution and other environmental impacts.
“I’m not opposed to development per say,” resident David Derksen said during a city-hosted listening session. “What I oppose is any project that harms myself, my children, my family and my neighbors, my community and the environment.”
Peter Fitzgerald, Vice President of Development at Ryan Cos. he was also at the meeting and defended the project. He said the data center would use no more water than an 18-hole golf course, bring hundreds of jobs and come at no cost to the city.
“There is no cost sharing here, in terms of the infrastructure requirements needed for our development. [It] the developer will pay us,” he said.
