Lowell AI Data Center

The Lowell area is rich in water and abundant agriculture; the Flat and Grand Rivers meet in Lowell Charter Township, and its many valleys contribute to the watersheds which flow into Lake Michigan. The community here prizes its many hiking trails and historic landmarks.

But Franklin Partners, a developer pursuing several AI data center projects in Michigan, has set its sights on the community. The land that’s being targeted lies within a 425 agreement between Lowell Charter Township and the City of Lowell, which means both municipalities will have a say in the process. 

The developer has asked Lowell Township for rezoning from a Planned Unit Development (PUD) to light industrial, and to change the township’s zoning ordinance to specify that “data warehousing” is allowable within light industrial. The developer requested Data Warehousing be defined as:

Data Warehousing Facility: A warehouse-style building or buildings that store computer and networking systems, servers, and related equipment within a climate-controlled environment, as well as office support facilities, utility structures and equipment, all of which serve the purpose of storing, managing, processing, and transmitting digital data.

Lowell’s City Council held open house informational meetings about the project on December 2nd and 3rd. Lowell Township board has scheduled a public hearing on the rezoning for December 8th at 7pm, at the township hall.