Not all data centers are created equal: this campus is designed for Naperville.
The Proposal & Positive Impact on Naperville:
Background: Approximately 40 acres of the former Lucent campus have sat unused for a quarter of a century, and now Karis Critical proposes to make a substantial investment in the community to bring a best-in-class, boutique data center campus to Naperville. Data centers play a vital role in enabling our cloud-connected society, providing the infrastructure that ensures the digital tools and technologies we depend on, such as software, apps, communication systems, and computing platforms, operate efficiently, securely, and with high reliability.
Positive Impact on Naperville: Redeveloping the vacant land creates economic opportunity, unlocks millions in ongoing tax revenue for local classrooms and government services, and provides momentum in an area the City has targeted for rejuvenation and job growth. The property’s unique characteristics make it an ideal location for this investment, including its proximity to existing utility infrastructure and legacy use as a corporate research and development campus.
Phased and Responsible Growth: Karis has master planned the campus to be built in phases, ensuring that the facility can demonstrate its exceptional operational track record and expand in the years ahead. The campus’ initial building will be constructed nearly 1,000 feet away from the nearest residential neighbor, and the considerable landscaping and tree screening being installed on an 8-foot-tall berm at the edge of the property will have several years to mature.
Millions in New Tax Revenue
The data center campus is expected to create a windfall of nearly $2.25 million annually for local area governments, including $1.575 million for the City of Naperville and approximately $500,000 for Naperville School District 203.
Repurposing A Vacant Site
40 acres of the former Lucent campus have sat vacant for 25 years, and now Karis proposes to make a substantial investment to bring a best-in-class, boutique data center campus to Naperville. Data centers are the essential infrastructure that makes today’s digital, cloud-connected, on-demand society function. The new facility is 65% smaller than the previous corporate office building.
Engineered for Efficiency & Stewardship
Throughout the design stage, Karis has incorporated best practices and undertaken several site-specific stewardship initiatives to ensure the campus operates in accordance with the environmental values and expectations of the company, its tenants, the City of Naperville, and the State of Illinois. As proposed, the campus will be one of the most environmentally responsible data centers operating in the Midwest.
Supporting Economic Growth & Opportunity
The renewably powered and responsibly operated campus is about more than just innovation and connectivity; it’s an engine of local prosperity. The the initial phase of the Naperville data center campus is expected to create and sustain up to 341 jobs, generating ~$27 million in annual income for individuals and families, and spurring up to $238 million in economic activity across the county.
An Update on the Phased Approach to the Campus: More Oversight & Approvals Before Phase Two
Karis has master planned the campus to be built in phases to meet growing customer demand. In response to local feedback, Karis has scaled the scope of the campus and narrowed its request. Currently, only approval to construct the Phase One building is being requested by the company.
The campus’ initial building will be constructed nearly 1,000 feet away from the nearest residential neighbor. The campus will continue to invest in considerable landscaping and tree screening on the site, including on the east side of the property to create a visually appealing buffer.
Community Stewardship Pledge:
Throughout the design and planning phase, Karis Critical has incorporated best practices and undertaken several site-specific stewardship initiatives to ensure the campus operates in accordance with the environmental values and expectations of the company, its future tenants, the City of Naperville, and the State of Illinois.
As a good corporate citizen, Karis has voluntarily proposed a Community Stewardship Pledge to be incorporated into the City of Naperville’s approval of the proposal, which would create binding obligations on the property and guide the campus’ operations for decades to come.
