Stickney Mayor Mitch Milenkovic announced his opposition Thursday, August 20, to any data center development at the 119-acre former Hawthorne Race Course site, pledging to vote against the project if it reaches the Village Board of Trustees — a move aimed at blocking speculation that the shuttered track could become a data center facility.
The announcement follows the village board’s unanimous approval on August 4 of a six-month moratorium on data center zoning, licensing, development, and permit approvals throughout Stickney.
Hawthorne Race Course ran its final live races on July 19. A bankruptcy judge approved a $90 million sale of the property to Delaware-based developer Allimac 2023 LLC, with closing scheduled for September 1 or 2.
Milenkovic said his opposition stems from the potential harm to residents. “Data centers without proper regulations and restrictions can place enormous strain on the regional power grid and freshwater resources, driving up utility bills for the residents and small businesses least able to absorb the added cost,” he said.
He also cited quality-of-life concerns. “The noise from the round-the-clock operation of cooling systems, backup generators, and industrial-scale equipment would diminish the quality of life for Stickney residents and the residential areas of Cicero that surround the Hawthorne site.”
The property is currently zoned heavy industrial, which permits uses such as machine shops, manufacturing, and assembly without special approval. A data center would be considered a novel use requiring village approval and “intense public scrutiny,” according to Jessica Fese, the village’s spokesperson and an attorney with DelGaldo Law Group in Berwyn.
Fese said the buyer has not disclosed any development plans. The new owner has raised concerns with the bankruptcy court about residents and animals currently living on the backstretch and does not want to take possession while they remain there.
Fese said about 400 people live on the backstretch. If they do not leave voluntarily, the new owner would likely have to pursue an eviction process through the Cook County Sheriff’s Office — a step that could delay closing.
“The unanimous approval of this moratorium should send a strong message to any potential developer of Hawthorne: data center construction is unwelcome in Stickney,” Milenkovic said.
Any ideas what business is acceptable for Hawthorn’s 100+ acres? How will the lost $1,000,000 (million) a year in taxes be replaced ?