Higher-paying jobs will be coming to Falls as part of plans for NorthPoint Development to construct data centers at the Keystone Trade Center.
The Falls Board of Supervisors unanimously approved two preliminary and final land development plans for the developer of the former U.S. Steel property during Monday’s meeting. The board had previously approved land development for the parcels. However, at the time, NorthPoint was planning to construct a 1 million-square-foot distribution center for its sixth building, located at 1 Ben Fairless Drive; and more than 3 million square feet of warehousing at 700 S. Port Road for phase two of the multi-tiered project.
Under the revised land development plans, building six of the NorthPoint project will be modified to become a data center, along with an accessory structure and slight modification to access driveways.
The four different distribution centers that had been eyed for the 247-acre parcel have shifted to 10 different structures ranging from 112,000 square feet to 217,000 square feet, totaling more than 2 million square feet of a “digital infrastructure campus,” according to NorthPoint attorney Mike Meginniss. Buildings will be one or two stories tall, he said. The revamped plans mean less truck traffic and fewer employees onsite, NorthPoint Vice President of Development Jeremy Michael told the board. The employment opportunities will require more of a technical background, possibly related to maintenance and would amount to higher-paying positions as compared to warehouse jobs, he said.
Warehousing and distribution have both been successful at the Keystone Trade Center, Meginniss said, adding that “this is in the spirit of diversification of this site.”
Residents inquired if the data center would pose energy issues for Falls businesses or residents. Michael said NorthPoint is “working very closely with PECO” through the design review process, adding that this is one of the few locations where “surplus” power is available.
“This is a really great location in terms of the infrastructure that’s already in place to support it,” he said, adding that the power needed for the sixth building is “fed from different circuitry and a different voltage.”
While Michael said NorthPoint is under a non-disclosure agreement and could not say how many megawatts of data would be incorporated at the sites, he acknowledged “it’s a significant amount.”
Construction of a data center in Falls Township was “awesome,” Supervisor Brian Galloway said.
In all, NorthPoint intends to build 20 or more state-of-the-art industrial warehouse buildings, distribution centers and data centers totaling 10 million square feet, with the potential of 15 million square feet.
Officials have said that once complete, the redevelopment will create as many as 14,000 new jobs.
The developer will invest $1.5 billion in the transformation of the site. In all, NorthPoint will spend an estimated $40 million to $45 million to remediate the site.
