Expand / Collapse search
☰

Port Washington data center site; city to limit outdoor construction work hours

By
FOX6 News Milwaukee
Port Washington
Published March 20, 2026 6:47 AM CDT
Published March 20, 2026 6:47 AM CDT
Limits on Port Washington data center construction
Limits on Port Washington data center construction

Limits on Port Washington data center construction

After months of complaints, relief could be on way for people living near the Port Washington data center site. The construction has been taking place all day and all night. That will soon be changing. The question is...will it matter?

The Brief

    • Port Washington will limit the outdoor work hours at its data center site.
    • The City of Port Washington Plan Commission voted unanimously during a meeting Thursday night.
    • The new limits will take effect April 18.

PORT WASHINGTON, Wis. - The City of Port Washington Plan Commission voted unanimously during a meeting Thursday night, March 19, to limit hours for outdoor construction work at the data center site.

Rendering of data center in Port Washington

Outdoor work hours

What we know:

Mayor Ted Neitzke IV made a motion to amend the previously approved building, site and operations plan for the project, imposing a new limit on outdoor construction activities to between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. 

The Plan Commission approved the new limits, which will take effect April 18. 

Currently, construction on the site is permitted 24 hours a day during the week, with more limited work hours on weekends.

Related

Port Washington data center dispute sparks recall effort against mayor
article

Port Washington data center dispute sparks recall effort against mayor

Opponents of a Port Washington data center project filed a recall petition against the mayor after three women were arrested at a council meeting, calling the incident a tipping point.

FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android

Newly imposed parameters

  • Limiting deliveries to the site to between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.
  • Reducing lighting on the site after 8:30 p.m. to lower levels needed to maintain security.
  • Only allowing work on a Sunday with prior approval from the City Engineer, and limited to no more than one Sunday per month.
  • Allowing 24-hour indoor work Monday through Friday, and then until Saturday night at 11:59 p.m., only after buildings are built, fully enclosed and reviewed by the City Engineer.

Related

Port Washington data center, group claims open meetings violations
article

Port Washington data center, group claims open meetings violations

A grassroots group announced it is suing Port Washington for reasons tied to a controversial data center project, claims the city has since denied.

Mayor Neitzke statement

What they're saying:

"Allowing 24-hour outdoor construction work five days a week on the site was always going to be temporary. Eventually, much of the work on this project will be done indoors and be less noticeable. We initially allowed extended hours with the intention of getting the project to that point as quickly as possible. But based on what we have heard from nearby residents, the benefits of speeding up the construction timeline are not worth the additional inconvenience. The overnight work is simply too disruptive and needs to end. With tonight’s vote by the Plan Commission, 24-hour work on the site will wind down over the next few weeks."

Response from neighbors

What they're saying:

"There's hundreds of dump trucks a day going in and out hauling dirt and gravel. It's just been a nightmare…the lights at night are just absolutely horrible," said Port Washington resident Chris Karnish. "We don't get anything. All we get is the traffic and the noise and none of the people in the Port Washington common Council or the mayor cares cause they don't live out there."

The Source: The information in this post was provided by the City of Port Washington. 

Port WashingtonNews