Kenilworth Data Center Faces Resident Pushback Over Water and Power Concerns
A $1.8 billion artificial intelligence data center under construction in Kenilworth is drawing opposition from nearby residents who worry about water depletion, flooding, and rising electric bills.
CoreWeave, an AI infrastructure company, purchased property at the Northeast Science and Technology Center campus in 2025 to convert a former Merck & Co. building into the facility. The Kenilworth Borough Council approved the project, but it remained largely unknown to residents until recently.
"Social media, that's the only way you'll hear about it here even though we're only 200 yards from the location," said resident Brent Krueger.
Residents Organize Against the Project
Neighbors circulated a petition opposing construction that gathered over 1,500 signatures by mid-April. Their stated concerns center on water sustainability and local infrastructure strain.
"We're going to have major issues with the water in the future, with so many data centers being built," said resident Rosa Joseph. "It's just not possible. We cannot sustain it."
The planning board will review the project on April 28.
Mayor Emphasizes Economic Benefits and Infrastructure Safeguards
Kenilworth Mayor Linda Karlovitch said residents will see minimal operational impact. CoreWeave will use a closed-loop cooling system that avoids continuous local water use, she said.
"CoreWeave will be paying sales tax on the power, funding all required transmission upgrades," Karlovitch said. "Those costs will not be passed on to residential rate payers."
The borough expects the project to generate over 140 jobs and fill a revenue gap left when Merck departed. CoreWeave must create at least 100 jobs to satisfy state tax credit requirements it received in 2025.
The facility is scheduled for completion by the end of 2027.
State Considers Power-Sourcing Regulations
State lawmakers introduced legislation this session to regulate how data centers source power, though it had not passed as of mid-April.
For real estate and construction professionals tracking large infrastructure projects, see our coverage on AI for Real Estate & Construction.
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