Prince George’s County is facing a fight over what could be its biggest development project yet. A $5 billion data center complex, called Brightseat Tech Park, is set for the site of the old Landover Mall—and residents aren’t happy.
The project, led by Lerner Enterprises and The Tower Companies, already has county approvals, Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation (PGCEDC) reports. Plans call for five huge facilities spread across 87 acres on Brightseat Road, consuming up to 820 megawatts of power. Construction could start as early as 2026. County leaders, including Economic Development Corporation president David Iannucci, argue the project could bring in major tax dollars. He points to Loudoun County, which collected more than $670 million in data center taxes in 2025 alone.
But many residents say the deal has moved forward without transparency. A Change.org petition launched by organizer Taylor Frazier McCollum argues the community was left out of the process and raises concerns about noise, pollution, and falling property values.
“Our right to be informed and to have a say in our living spaces must be respected,” the petition states.
Residents also see the development as an environmental justice issue.
“I seriously hope that all residents of PG county actively fight against the proposal for a DATA CENTER to be [built] in Landover, at the former Landover Mall site. Near the stadium,” wrote Eric J Thomas on Threads.
“You can clearly see environmental racism at work to destroy a wealthy black county. It will lower your home value, use and poison your water, and impact your respiratory system,” Thomas added.
Others argue the county needs the money.
“Hey Eric. I understand some of your concerns and some are valid. However data centers can provide commercial tax revenue for the county, an area we deeply struggle in,” user mschris1221 responded. “If you’re not for data centers how do you then suppose we acquire commercial taxes. A strong commercial tax base helps to lower our property taxes which we are the second highest in the state.”
That sparked pushback from another user, ric.jackson.616, who wrote: “Yea but do you want to sacrifice air and water cleanliness, raise utility bills as well as lower property value in exchange for commercial revenue? I don’t have the answer… Perhaps find another way?”
The tension comes down to whether the financial upside is worth the environmental and quality-of-life risks. The county says tax revenue from the data centers could improve schools, parks, and public services. Residents want guarantees on those promises—and answers about how the development could change their neighborhoods.
The next public meeting on the issue is scheduled for Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at 1 p.m. at the M-NCPPC Largo Headquarters. It will also stream live at https://pgccouncil.us/LIVE.
For many PG County residents, that meeting will be a chance to speak up before bulldozers arrive at one of the county’s most storied sites.
Cover photo: P.G. County Residents Mobilize to Oppose $5 Billion Data Center Project in Landover/Photo credit: Lerner Enterprises/PGCEDC