Farmer donates land for a park, city sells it for data center development — $10 gift became $10M for city government, with $30M tax expected over next

[hist78]

This type of behavior, among other things, is exactly why more people are becoming increasingly negative toward data center development projects.

Back in 1999, 87 acres of land in Taylor, Texas, was donated (nominal fee $10) to the city by a farmer, with a condition in the deed that it would be used for community parkland. In 2025, the land was sold for $10M to a data center developer, who has won several legal battles against the nearby residents who are trying to stop the massive construction project, reports 404 Media. Now, the disgruntled locals are planning to take their case to an appeals court.

Farmer donates land for a park, city sells it for data center development — $10 gift became $10M for city government, with $30M tax expected over next decade

A solemn Texas deed ignored for profit.

www.tomshardware.com

 

[Markwrob]

If the deed has such a provision for use, this would seem an open and shut case. What the officials do here will tell the locals what their (the politicos) priorities are. Even in Texas, that could rub folks the wrong way. I'm getting some popcorn, maybe barbecue flavored.

 

[MKWVentures]

Does the city council have the right to approve building and business developments or not?

If you dont want datacenters, dont approve them. They cannot be built without proper approval.

 

[blueone]

The farmer did not donate the land to the city of Taylor, he donated it to a foundation, which then gave it to another foundation, and then the second foundation gave the land to the city. Tom's is posting clickbait by saying "A solemn Texas deed ignored for profit". The farmer should have gotten better legal advice before donating the land. As I've been taught, just as with engineers, there is a vast difference in competence between the best attorneys and the ones who can just pass the bar exams. The Tom's author, on the other hand, is lucky he doesn't work for me.

 

[Xebec]

The farmer did not donate the land to the city of Taylor, he donated it to a foundation, which then gave it to another foundation, and then the second foundation gave the land to the city. Tom's is posting clickbait by saying "A solemn Texas deed ignored for profit". The farmer should have gotten better legal advice before donating the land. As I've been taught, just as with engineers, there is a vast difference in competence between the best attorneys and the ones who can just pass the bar exams. The Tom's author, on the other hand, is lucky he doesn't work for me.

Insert "The public will believe a simple lie rather than a complex truth"