More than 100 residents protest proposed data center at Coachella city council meeting

COACHELLA, California (KESQ) - More than 100 residents attended Wednesday's Coachella city council meeting to protest a proposed data center.

News Channel 3 has followed the proposal for the past month, working to get answers on the proposed 240-acre technology campus at Avenue 52 and Filmore Street. City records show the campus could grow as large as 450-acres with 6 data centers.

It's left residents worried about the environmental impacts.

"We have some of the poorest air quality in the region. The Colorado River is drying, and there's a lot of mobile home park communities in our area that don't have access to clean drinking water," Stephanie Ambriz said.

City documents show the center would be built through a public-private partnership, between the City of Coachella's utility and Stronghold Power Systems.

According to campaign disclosure documents, Stronghold previously donated at least $4,900 to former Mayor Steven Hernandez's mayoral campaign.

That's raised concerns on the city's transparency, with residents claiming their questions have gone unanswered.

"There should be a lot of input from us on what our future utility is going to look like. That hasn't happened within this process, not even when it was first initiated," Ambriz said.

So, looking for answers, News Channel 3 once again asked for answers during public comment.

News Channel 3's Athena Jreij said, "We have heard numerous residents and viewers sending us emails that they want to hear from the city. Whenever the time does come that you guys are ready to speak with us, we would like to give that platform to be fair in our reporting."

In response, Councilwoman Denise Delgado commenting at the end of Wednesday's meeting.

"When the KESQ reporter came out, I did text our city manager and I said, why wasn't I made aware that a reporter was standing in front of our civic center for hours? She's reporting this and makes it seem like we're hiding something," Delgado said.

News Channel 3 reached out to Delgado and other councilmembers numerous times, as late as Wednesday morning with an email reading:

"Hi Coachella team, 

I'm circling back on this request to see if anyone is available to answer these questions? We will be at the city council meeting tonight and can accommodate interviews as well. 

Feel free to reach me at my cell below if that's easier."

We have not yet received a response to our requests.