Alton Weighs Data Center Campus at Former Steel Site
Alton Steel and TerraWatt have approached city officials about redevelopment, prompting an early review of potential investment, resource demands and effects on nearby residents.
ALTON — Alton officials are reviewing a potential proposal from Alton Steel Inc. and TerraWatt to purchase and redevelop the former Alton Steel property as a data center campus, weighing the prospect of new investment against questions about resource use and community impacts.
The companies have contacted the city, but no formal application for a permit or zoning change has been submitted. The city is working to understand the project, its potential benefits and what it could mean for residents.
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The review will assess the development’s economic impact, water usage, energy consumption, noise levels and environmental effects. The city plans to work with the City Council immediately to procure third-party consulting services, including civil engineering, planning and environmental expertise.
“For more than a century, the Alton Steel site supported the jobs, businesses and tax base that helped our city to thrive,” Mayor David Goins said. “Finding a viable future use for this property is critical to Alton, and we recognize that this is an opportunity to bring new investment, jobs and revenues to our city.”
Goins said the city expects the developers to address questions about the proposal’s benefits and impacts.
“We look forward to working with Alton Steel and TerraWatt to answer our questions about jobs, tax revenue, electricity and water consumption, environmental protections, noise and traffic,” he said. “We expect the development team to provide clear answers and work with us to ensure any benefits to Alton are meaningful and lasting.”
Residents will have opportunities to learn about the potential proposal, meet the development team and ask questions. TerraWatt is contacting residents closest to the site and will host a public open house from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, at the Wedge Building, 620 E. Broadway in Alton.
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