Neighbors Raise Questions About Proposed Data Center Near I-20 and Chapin Road.

A recently published article by Benbrook Life has sparked a wave of questions and concern among residents in southwest Fort Worth neighborhoods and nearby Benbrook, as plans move forward to rezone land near I-20 and Chapin Road (RM 2871) for a significant data center development, which is technically in Fort Worth.

At the center of the conversation is PMB Capital’s announcement that the site could be developed within the following year. Many residents are now digging deeper, trying to understand what a data center might mean for daily life just a mile from their homes.

A key point raised repeatedly in community discussions is the difference between data centers and bitcoin mining operations.

Residents familiar with the ongoing issues in Hood County note that the Granbury situation involves a bitcoin mine, not a traditional data center. Bitcoin mines are often built with minimal insulation and rely on constant high-speed fans, creating a persistent low roar that can carry for miles.

Data centers, by contrast, are typically high-end facilities designed with insulation, sound mitigation, and in many cases quieter liquid-based cooling systems.

Several Fort Worth residents pointed to firsthand experiences near data centers in places like Allen, where facilities owned by CyrusOne operate across the street from homes with little noticeable noise.

Still, not everyone is convinced. Some neighbors say research into other CyrusOne locations shows complaints similar to those in Hood County, especially where local governments did not require strong sound shielding or infrastructure safeguards.

Beyond noise, concerns include heavy water usage, strain on the power grid, increased traffic, visual impact, and the potential for rising utility costs.

Others worry about transparency and oversight, questioning how much water would be drawn, whether cooling systems would affect local supplies, and what protections the City of Fort Worth might require that Hood County did not.

Residents in Fort Worth are now contacting Fort Worth City leaders, asking how this project would differ from the Granbury experience and whether additional conditions could be imposed on the development.

For many, the goal is not opposition for opposition’s sake, but clarity. People want to understand what is coming, how it will be regulated, and how it could affect their homes, health, and long-term plans.

As conversations continue, neighbors are urging one another to stay informed, verify sources, and engage early with city officials. With development decisions still ahead, many see this moment as critical for asking hard questions before construction begins.