Amazon Web Services has abandoned plans to build data centers on a 122-acre site formerly part of George Washington University’s Virginia Science and Technology Campus in Loudoun County, Northern Virginia. The decision follows opposition from local residents and negotiations with county officials, culminating in an agreement announced on October 20, 2026.
The property, located approximately 25 miles outside Washington, D.C., was purchased by Amazon Web Services in February for $427 million. The acquisition initially raised concerns among Loudoun County leaders, who were already wary of the growing number of data centers in the area, known for hosting the world’s largest concentration of such facilities.
Under the new agreement, Amazon will repurpose most of the site for mixed-use and residential development instead of constructing the proposed data centers. Additionally, the company will donate 25 acres of the property to Loudoun County for a community arts center and recreational spaces, as well as contribute $5 million to the county’s housing fund. In exchange, the county will expedite rezoning processes to facilitate the new development plans.
Phyllis J. Randall, chair of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, described the agreement as an opportunity to meet community needs for gathering spaces and attainable housing. “By choosing dialogue over reflexive disagreement, Loudoun County and Amazon created an opportunity for the County,” she said. “This agreement provides new places for our Loudoun residents to gather, create, and play. And, most importantly to me, we will provide more attainable homes for working families.”
Amazon’s vice president overseeing data center development, Josh Weissman, acknowledged differing views between Amazon and the county regarding the legal potential of the property but emphasized the decision to avoid litigation in favor of a collaborative solution. “We concluded that the best outcome for all is to come together on a shared vision for this campus rather than engage in costly litigation,” Weissman said.
Amazon had proposed constructing four data centers on the site in July, a plan that prompted vocal concern from county supervisors, who noted that any such development would require their approval. Negotiations between Amazon and county officials began in September, leading to the current agreement.
George Washington University remains a tenant on the campus, with rights to stay for up to five years, according to the deal. A university spokesperson, Shannon McClendon, stated that the agreement between Amazon and Loudoun County does not affect the university or its role with the property’s future development.
The decision has been welcomed by local officials, including Loudoun Supervisor Juli E. Briskman, who represents the district containing the site. “From the beginning, I have maintained that the GW campus is not an appropriate place for data centers,” she said. “The advocacy and public pressure from our community made all the difference.” Residents have increasingly voiced concerns over noise and high power consumption associated with data centers, reflecting a shift in community sentiment toward such developments in Loudoun County.