Oppidan, a property development firm based in Minnesota, is moving forward with plans to build a new data center in Eagan, a city just outside Minneapolis. The project will be developed on a 22.1-acre parcel of land owned by the YMCA, located at 550 Opperman Drive. This site is set to accommodate a 5MW data center, covering 61,500 square feet (5,715 sqm). The details of this development were first reported by HometownSource.
Approval by Eagan Planning Commission
The project received a significant approval from the Eagan advisory planning commission, which unanimously recommended the subdivision of land for the data center. This subdivision, a preliminary step in the project, will enable the development to proceed. The decision now allows the development to progress toward construction, with the goal to break ground in June 2025. Full operational capabilities are targeted for December 2026.
Detailed Specifications of the Data Center
The proposed data center will be a single-story structure designed to meet modern data storage and processing needs. With a power capacity of 5MW, the facility will serve businesses and industries requiring high-performance data services. The design focuses on energy efficiency and scalability to cater to future growth in the area.
Project Timeline and Milestones
Construction is expected to begin in June 2025, with Oppidan aiming for the facility to be fully operational by December 2026. These dates are pivotal as the demand for secure and scalable data centers continues to rise in the Minneapolis metro area.
Oppidan’s Expanding Data Center Portfolio
Previous Projects and Industry Expertise
Oppidan has a solid track record in the data center industry, with past clients including Oracle, Bell Alliant (Bell Canada), and Sabey Corp. The company has successfully developed data centers in various locations across the U.S., including Memphis, Tennessee, and in California for an AWS project. Notably, Oppidan is also behind a large-scale 50MW data center development in Santa Clara, in partnership with Harrison Street.
The Role of Connect Data Centers
To further expand its data center business, Oppidan has established Connect Data Centers, a subsidiary that has already delivered 650MW of capacity and 2.28 million square feet of data center space. Connect Data Centers is involved in large-scale projects across the U.S. in states like California, Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, and Ohio. With over 720MW of projects in development, the subsidiary is well-positioned to meet the increasing demand for data infrastructure nationwide.
Drew Johnson, Oppidan’s Senior Vice President of Development and Data Center Lead, is at the helm of Connect Data Centers. Under his leadership, the division has achieved substantial growth, and it continues to expand its footprint in the industry.
Eagan’s Data Center Landscape
DataBank’s Existing Facility in Eagan
Eagan is already home to a key data center operated by DataBank, which serves the region’s enterprise data storage and processing needs. Located south of Minneapolis in Dakota County, this facility is part of the area’s broader data infrastructure.
Digital Realty’s Exit and Future Development
In 2024, Digital Realty sold its data center in Eagan. The site, which had been part of the company’s operations in the region, is now set to be redeveloped into residential housing by the local government. This shift signals a dynamic landscape for the area, where data center operations are evolving as the demand for housing grows.
FAQ Section
1. What is the size and capacity of Oppidan’s new data center?
The new facility will cover 61,500 square feet (5,715 sqm) and provide 5MW of power capacity.
2. When will construction of the data center begin?
Construction is scheduled to start in June 2025, with operations planned to commence by December 2026.
3. What is the role of Connect Data Centers in this project?
Connect Data Centers, a subsidiary of Oppidan, is responsible for managing large-scale data center developments, including this project. It has successfully delivered 650MW of capacity across multiple U.S. states.
4. Which companies has Oppidan worked with in the data center sector?
Oppidan’s past clients include Oracle, Bell Alliant, Sabey Corp., and others. The firm has completed several high-profile data center projects across the U.S.
5. What happened to Digital Realty’s data center in Eagan?
Digital Realty sold its Eagan facility in 2024. The site is now slated for residential housing development by the local government.
