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Mesa, Arizona is quickly becoming a key hub for data centers as shovels continue to hit the dirt in the city to meet the growing demand for AI-powered computing facilities.
Phoenix-based Haydon recently started in August a data center installation for Edged Energy, a New York-based company that builds and operates data centers. Construction costs will reach about $70 million, said Justin Newman, partner and senior vice president of the construction division at Haydon.
But the concentration of data centers under construction in Mesa is putting pressure on the region’s general contractors, like them fight against each other for limited labor and materials. Mesa officials said about 14.8 million square feet of data center space is planned or under construction in the city. according to the Phoenix Business Journal.
For example, services, such as inspections, now take more time than before, Newman said. He added that same-day inspections are no longer a guarantee, making thorough scheduling and coordination essential to keep projects running.
“With the rapid pace of development in Mesa, it is crucial for us as a general contractor to anticipate and plan for the growing demand on the city’s resources,” Newman said. “This level of foresight is key to delivering a successful project, and it’s something we’ve honed through our extensive experience at Mesa.”
The project, located on a 12-acre site near the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, will feature a 210,000-square-foot campus. The data center facility will support high-density artificial intelligence and digital data processing, according to Edged Energy.
Haydon hopes to complete the project by the end of 2025.
“This project is incredibly exciting for us at Haydon,” said Newman. “We are at the forefront of combining cutting-edge innovation with sustainable practices.”
One of the key features of the facility will be its advanced water cooling technology. The technology, called ThermalWorks, will save more than 94 million gallons of water each year, a critical benefit especially in a dry climate like Arizona, according to Edged.
“By partnering with Edged to prioritize energy efficiency and water conservation, we are not only addressing environmental concerns, but also supporting the rapid and dynamic growth of the Valley’s technology ecosystem,” he said. said Newman. “It’s a unique opportunity to push the boundaries of what’s possible in construction, ensuring that our work today contributes to a more sustainable and technologically advanced future for the region.”
Growing center in the Grand Canyon State
The project is another major addition to Mesa’s rapidly expanding data center footprint.
For example, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, selected DPR to create one Billion dollar data center over 2.5 million square feet. DPR expects to complete the installation in 2026.
Meanwhile, Google also shared plans to build one 600 million dollar data center in the city The project will help power its popular digital services for people and organizations around the world, including Google Search, Gmail, Google Cloud and others, according to the tech giant.
EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure, a Broomfield, Colo.-based data center developer, owner and operator, also selected Atlanta-based Holder Construction to build a $1.9 billion data center campus in Mesa earlier this year. Other upcoming projects include two semiconductor factories worth $20 billion in Chandler, Arizona.
Data center owners, operators and developers have focused on Mesa for the region’s low risk of natural disasters, low utility costs and an overall business-friendly environment.
“From the design review board through permitting and now into the construction phase, Mesa’s proactive support has been invaluable,” said Newman. “Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of working on multiple projects with the City of Mesa, which has allowed us to build a strong relationship with their staff and gain a deep understanding of how to navigate city processes effectively “.
