Brook Park Residents Petition to Block AI Data Center at IX Center

BROOK PARK, Ohio — Residents are mobilizing to block a proposal that would transform the historic International Exposition Center into a large-scale artificial intelligence data center. The movement, led by local resident Cassia Core, centers on a Change.org petition that has gathered nearly 2,000 signatures as of late October. Petitioners are not just worried about the loss of a regional landmark. They cite significant concerns about the long-term impact on the local power grid and the environment. The IX Center has a storied history in the Cleveland area, originally serving as a tank and bomber plant during World War II before its conversion into a premier convention space. Opponents of the new project argue that replacing a venue that hosts 30,000 vendors annually with a data center would be a mistake. According to the petition, the proposed facility would provide fewer than 300 permanent jobs, which critics say does not justify the massive consumption of water and electricity required to keep AI servers cool and operational. Mayor Justin Bibb and the Cleveland City Council are facing increasing pressure to intervene in the land-use negotiations. Residents in Brook Park are particularly vocal about the potential for noise pollution and an increase in utility prices as the facility draws from the shared infrastructure. It is a complex issue for city leaders who are trying to balance the push for high-tech investment with the preservation of local culture and resources. While the petition raises alarms about various health risks associated with the site’s transition, some of these claims have not been confirmed. According to internal analysis from city planning officials, several of the specific health-related concerns in the petition require further scientific scrutiny to determine their validity. Despite this, the community’s primary focus remains on the tangible loss of a venue that has hosted the Cleveland Auto Show and the Christmas Connection for decades. The group behind the petition plans to present its findings at upcoming public hearings. Residents who want to review the current land-use proposals or sign the petition can find more information through the Brook Park community portal. -------------------- At Cleveland 13 News, we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable reporting. If you spot an error, omission, or have information that may need updating, please email us at tips@cleveland13news.com. As a community-driven news network, we appreciate the help of our readers in ensuring the integrity of our reporting.