LEXINGTON, Ky. — Community members packed the Lyric Theatre to voice opposition to data center developments in Lexington, following news that a Texas-based company has purchased the former Lexmark data center facility in the city, WUKY 91.3 FM reported.

DartPoints Operating Company, based in Texas, acquired the former Lexmark facility earlier this month, prompting the community gathering where residents expressed concerns about the planned expansion. The specifics of the development proposal and the community's primary concerns were discussed at the Monday evening event.

Data center expansions in urban and suburban areas have increasingly drawn scrutiny from residents and local officials over issues including energy consumption, water usage, heat generation, and potential impacts on neighborhoods and infrastructure. The Lexington facility purchase represents a significant development in the region's growing tech sector.

The Lyric Theatre gathering reflects broader debates across Kentucky and the nation about balancing economic development opportunities with community environmental and quality-of-life concerns. Data centers have become attractive investments due to growing demand for cloud computing and digital infrastructure, but their resource-intensive operations often spark local opposition.

City officials and developers have not yet released detailed plans for the site, though the community meeting indicates the project has already generated substantial public interest and concern.