St. Louis Armory Data Center
City of St. Louis, City of St. Louis, Missouri
HIGH RISK
Trajectory: Executive Order 92 ended as-of-right zoning. Resolution 111 codified CUP requirements. Moratorium vote narrowly failed 7-8. 12,000+ petition signatures.
Last updated 2026-03-29
Community risk review · blocking-market signal
St. Louis Armory Data Center's score is backed by the record of participants driving it.
RealClear computes a Community Impact Score (0–100) for every named participant in this jurisdiction's entitlement record. Blocking markets typically carry elected critical-stance CIS leaders at the top of the record — visible months before any filing would land on their hearing docket. Open the cross-referenced case files below for the full per-actor weight breakdown.
St. Louis was one of the last major cities where data centers were as-of-right. Not anymore. Mayor Spencer issued Executive Order 92. The Board of Aldermen passed Resolution 111 by 9-2. The moratorium failed by a single vote — 7-8. And 12,000 people signed a petition saying "No More Data Centers in St. Louis." The developer paused the project and failed a 44-question survey for three months.
As-of-right zoning for data centers has been eliminated. CUP with full discretionary review is now required under Executive Order 92 and Resolution 111.
The moratorium failed 7-8 — one vote short. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend one. This will be revisited.
12,000+ petition signatures. 200+ at a community town hall organized by 17 environmental and labor groups. 4+ hour public hearing.
Ameren Missouri is at an advanced stage of signing 2,000 MW of new DC load contracts. Data center customers have already paid $28M. The demand is real; the politics are hostile.
Cross-pressure: the St. Louis Labor Council supports the project for construction jobs. The opposition coalition spans 17 groups. This is a genuine political fight, not a foregone conclusion.
Dimension Breakdown
Four dimensions that determine entitlement feasibility.
Regulatory Risk
30 pts
CUP required with full discretionary review under Resolution 111 and Executive Order 92. Prior to EO 92, DCs were as-of-right. Board of Aldermen passed Resolution 111 by 9-2 vote. Moratorium bill failed 7-8 — one vote short.
Score: 8/30. CUP now required where none was needed before. The moratorium failed by one vote and the Planning Commission unanimously recommended one. The regulatory direction is restrictive.
Infrastructure Readiness
25 pts
Ameren Missouri serves the area. MO Public Service Commission approved large-user tariff (75MW+) in November 2025. Ameren at advanced stage of signing 2,000 MW of new DC load contracts. $28M already paid by data center customers.
Score: 15/25. Ameren Missouri is investing heavily — large-user tariff approved, 2,000 MW in contracts, $28M already paid by DC customers. Infrastructure is not the problem.
Opposition Density
25 pts
Change.org petition "No More Data Centers in St. Louis" gathered 12,000+ signatures. Community-led town hall drew 200+ attendees organized by 17 environmental and labor groups. Public hearing lasted 4+ hours with dozens of speakers.
Score: 5/25. 12,000+ petition signatures, 200+ at town halls, 17 groups coordinating. But the Labor Council supports the project, creating genuine cross-pressure.
Approval Timeline
20 pts
CUP process requires Zoning Section hearing then Board of Aldermen vote. Project first proposed 2025, initial hearing postponed after developer failed 44-question survey for 3 months. Paused amid regulatory changes.
Score: 5/20. Developer paused. Initial hearing postponed after developer failed a 44-question survey for 3 months. Regulatory changes in mid-process.
Key Findings
What the record shows.
Mayor Cara Spencer issued Executive Order 92 on September 19, 2025, establishing new data center requirements.
City of St. Louis — Data Center Regulations ReportBoard of Aldermen passed Resolution 111 by 9-2 vote creating stricter review process ending as-of-right zoning.
Spectrum News: Board of Aldermen OKs stricter review processMoratorium bill voted down 7-8 — not even formally introduced (required 10 votes for floor introduction).
STLPR: St. Louis aldermen deny pause on data centersPlanning Commission voted unanimously to recommend a moratorium.
GovTech: St. Louis Planning Commission Seeks Data Center PauseKey Officials
The decision-makers on record.
Armory Innovation District Developers
Developer group
Documented Record
Contour, TeraWatt, THO Investments, Steadfast City, ARCO, and Lewis Rice. Local investor Rod Thomas and Las Vegas-based Contour are primary partners.
Documented position based on public record.
Opposition Profile
Who is organizing.
Change.org petition "No More Data Centers in St. Louis" — 12,000+ signatures
Community-led town hall (October 2025) — 200+ attendees, organized by 17 groups
Developer town hall met with complaints regarding transparency
February 2026 public hearing lasted 4+ hours
St. Louis Labor Council supports the project (cross-pressure)
Timeline
How it unfolded.
September 19, 2025
Mayor Spencer issued Executive Order 92.
October 1, 2025
Board of Aldermen passed Resolution 111 by 9-2.
February 13, 2026
Moratorium bill voted down 7-8.
Known Risks
What could change.
Active risk factors documented in public record.
As-of-right zoning ended — CUP now required
12,000+ petition signatures and 200+ at town halls
Moratorium narrowly failed (7-8) — could be revisited
Developer paused project amid regulatory changes
Recommendation
HIGH RISK — Score 33/100
High Risk. As-of-right zoning eliminated, moratorium nearly passed, organized opposition with 12,000+ signatures. Budget allocation should await regulatory clarity.
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