The City of Southfield recognizes that City Council’s recent vote regarding the proposed Metrobloks data center has raised concerns within the community. The City takes these concerns seriously and remains focused on ensuring decisions are implemented responsibly and transparently.

The proposal was reviewed through a public process that included five public meetings beginning in October. City staff presented information, materials were made publicly available, and required notices were distributed and published. While the use is permitted within the Regional Center (RC) District and did not require formal public hearing, residents had multiple opportunities to provide public comment throughout the review.

Data centers are not new to Southfield. For decades, the City has supported enterprise data centers as part of a broader technology ecosystem that serves local businesses, healthcare systems, and regional institutions. Southfield’s long-standing investment in infrastructure, including its central location and extensive fiber-optic network, has been essential to supporting a diverse business community of more than 10,000 companies, including numerous Fortune 500 employers.

The proposed facility would be developed on approximately 12 acres of vacant land and consist of a two-story building totaling approximately 218,000 square feet, which is significantly smaller than many data center projects proposed elsewhere in Michigan. It is not intended to function as an artificial intelligence repository and will utilize a closed-loop cooling system, resulting in minimal long-term water use. Metrobloks is working with DTE to construct a new electrical substation at its own expense, and representatives have stated the project is not expected to impact residential electric rates.

Approval of the proposal does not remove City oversight. The project remains subject to permitting, environmental regulations, performance standards, and ongoing compliance and enforcement by the City, Oakland County, and the State of Michigan. In addition, Michigan law enacted in 2023 establishes clear criteria and accountability requirements for large-scale data centers, including capital investment thresholds, job creation standards, environmental and energy-efficiency expectations, and ongoing state-level reporting and compliance oversight through the Michigan Strategic Fund.

As the process moves forward, the City will continue to provide information and remains committed to transparency and accountability.