Residents Call for Transparency on Data Center Project Near Benbrook.

On a recent evening at Rolling Hills Elementary, the room told the story before anyone stepped to the mic. Residents from Benbrook, Aledo, Fort Worth, and nearby communities showed up with a shared concern and a common goal. They want clear answers.

At the center of it all is the proposed EDGED data center project near I-20 and RM 2871, a development tied to a major economic agreement expected to come before the Fort Worth City Council.

In response, residents have organized, launching 2871community.org as a place to gather information, track questions, and push for transparency.

What stands out is not opposition for its own sake, but the level of detail. Neighbors are not just asking if the project is good or bad, but how it will work, what it will require, and who will be accountable over time.

Their concerns focus on everyday realities that hit close to home in Benbrook, although the data center is located in Fort Worth proper. Water use. Air quality. Noise levels. Traffic. Power demand.

There are also concerns about the long-term costs that could affect ratepayers. They are also asking for independent studies, not company-reported data, and for baseline measurements before construction begins, so future impacts can be clearly tracked.

There is also a push for clarity around access roads, environmental monitoring, and whether the city will establish ongoing oversight rather than relying on self-reporting. Residents want commitments written into final agreements, not left as general assurances.

Another layer of concern centers on the bigger picture. Multiple data center developments are already planned or underway in the same corridor. Neighbors are asking whether the city has accounted for the cumulative impact on infrastructure, utilities, and quality of life, not just a single project viewed in isolation.

Timing has added urgency. With a key vote approaching, residents are asking city leaders to slow down long enough to ensure the final agreement includes specific, measurable standards and that the full legal documents are made public before decisions are finalized.

At its core, this is a moment where a growing community is trying to keep pace with rapid development. The questions coming from 2871 are not abstract. They reflect families thinking about their neighborhoods, their bills, and the long-term shape of the place they call home.

Residents looking to follow updates or get involved can visit https://2871community.org or reach out at info@2871community.org.