Bringing long-term investment to
Forest Park
Our proposed Fort Gillem data center project is expected to bring investment and economic opportunity while supporting local jobs in Forest Park.
Project at a glance
The proposed campus would include two data center facilities, with the first phase expected to open in early 2028.
Initial IT load
Total proposed investment
Total site acreage
Approximate building space across the campus
*All project figures are subject to change.
Let’s connect
We are committed to hiring locally where possible. We’re also interested in partnering with local organizations on training, recruitment, apprenticeships, and internships to build long-term career pathways into the data center industry.
Creating work for skilled trades
The Forest Park project is expected to create demand for electricians, HVAC technicians, equipment operators, construction workers, and other skilled trades throughout development, along with accessible entry-level opportunities in security, maintenance, and facilities.
FAQs
What are we proposing in Forest Park?
We are proposing a new data center project at the site of the former Fort Gillem Army base in Forest Park, Georgia, roughly 10 miles south of downtown Atlanta. The site spans approximately 97 acres. The proposed campus would include two mission-critical data center facilities. The first phase is expected to open in early 2028.
What does a data center do, and why build one here?
A data center houses computing and networking equipment used to store, process, and move digital information. Every search query, streamed video, financial transaction, and medical record depends on a data center. Data centers are the backbone of modern life.
Forest Park offers available land, power infrastructure, workforce access, and strong regional connectivity to Atlanta’s data center market. Our existing facilities at 56 Marietta Street and 250 Williams Street are anchors of connectivity for the Southeast.
How large would the project be, and what is the approximate cost?
The campus is expected to total approximately 1.9 million square feet across two buildings, with an initial phase of roughly 1 million square feet of raised-floor data hall space. The campus is designed to support an initial IT load of 212 MW.
Digital Realty’s proposed total investment in the project is approximately $3 billion, including more than $100 million in site remediation and environmental work.
What is the anticipated economic benefit for Forest Park?
The project is expected to generate millions of dollars in potential annual local tax revenue that could support community priorities like parks, schools, and other local amenities. Thousands of jobs are expected during construction.
Once the first phase is complete, the project is expected to support approximately 60–75 permanent, high-quality jobs, with potential to grow to 100+ full-time positions as the project expands. Estimated compensation ranges from approximately $50,000 to $165,000, depending on role and experience.
What environmental work is planned for the site?
We expect to invest more than $100 million in site remediation and environmental work, including stream mitigation, methane remediation, and soil and bedrock stabilization. This work would bring the land to a developable state while restoring habitat and supporting local biodiversity.
