Port Washington council moves meetings amid massive data center debate

Port Washington is considering establishing a Tax Incremental District (TID) to fund infrastructure improvements for a proposed $8 billion data center development by Vantage. The TID would enable the city to use new tax revenue generated by the data center to cover costs for water, sewer, and electrical upgrades without raising current residents' taxes. Due to growing public interest and opposition, recent Common Council meetings have been moved to a larger venue, the Lepanto Banquet Center, to safely accommodate the large crowds. Residents have expressed concerns about environmental impacts, energy costs, water usage, and the authenticity of job creation claims, while union representatives emphasize the potential for apprenticeships and long-term career opportunities. The city has urged the Public Service Commission to select alternative power line routes that minimize disruption to local areas. No final vote has been taken yet, with further council meetings scheduled at the larger venue to continue discussions on the project.