Data center profile · 2515 Old Hughes Road, Liberty, Clay County, Missouri

Metrobloks Liberty

$1.4 billion, three-building, 150 MW data center campus on about 30 acres in Liberty, Missouri, city-approved Dec. 2025, a joint venture with Lincoln Property Company.

Approved, pre-construction. Liberty's council approved the development plan 8-0 in Dec. 2025; bonds and a 25-year tax abatement followed in March 2026. Press reports the first building permitted in December; JV targets first capacity around Q3 2027. No construction start on record.
150 MW
initial total utility power
company JV release (Apr. 2026); the city says the campus is projected to use 150 MW
$1.4B
estimated project cost
$543M real property improvements, $858M equipment
568,000 sq ft
three buildings on ~30 acres
multi-phase; first building 177,000 sq ft (press)
Q3 2027
first tranche, tentatively
JV spokesperson, press; full capacity by late 2028
OperatorMetrobloks (developer) with Lincoln Property Company (joint venture partner)
CustomerNone named
Planned IT capacity120 MW for the first phase; full build-out not stated (our estimate from the company or utility power figure)
First building in serviceOur estimate: 2028 (range 2027 to 2030); company says 2027.
Next deadline2027: First tranche of capacity tentatively around Q3 2027, per a JV spokesperson (press)
Power

Power and the grid

None energized or contracted yet

Evergy grid service, initial phasePlanned, said to be powered
150 MW
total utility power per the developer; the city FAQ says the campus is projected to use 150 MW; no executed service agreement is on record Company · April 2026
Proposed

Getting on the grid

Who supplies what, what it costs, and what is still not public.

  1. Nov. 14, 2025
    Missouri large-load tariff approved
    The Missouri PSC approves Evergy's rate plan for customers of 75 MW or more: a 12-year minimum term and collateral of two years of minimum bills. Utility regulator · Nov. 2025
  2. Dec. 15, 2025
    Utility cost terms stated by the city
    Evergy's position, relayed by the city: data centers pay all direct service costs, and the large-load tariff applies if the project reaches 75 MW. see Permits
  3. Not set
    Service agreement: not on record
    No signed service agreement or energization date for this site is in our sources. Company · April 2026
Permits

Permits checklist

4 granted · 1 checked, nothing on file

Approvals a campus like this normally needs, and what we found.

Risks

What could slow it down

Money

Money on record

$1.4B
total project cost estimate
$543M real property, $858M personal property Local government · March 2026
$49M
projected taxes to local jurisdictions over 25 years
about $30M to Liberty Public Schools, with abatements on real and personal property Local government · March 2026
$27.75M
community contribution over 25 years
developer and future tenants, to the Liberty Institute for Science and Ethics Local government · March 2026
$229M
tax abatements (Kansas City Star, press)
not confirmed in city documents News report · April 2026
Timeline

What happened, and what is due

SitePaper trailConstructionPowerPermitsMoneyLegalUpcoming
  1. Nov. 14, 2025
    Power Missouri PSC approves Evergy's large-load tariff for customers of 75 MW or more Utility regulator · Nov. 2025
  2. Dec. 9, 2025
    Permits Planning and Zoning Commission holds a public hearing and forwards the plan to council Local government · Dec. 2025
  3. Dec. 15, 2025
    Permits City council approves the final development plan, 8-0 (resident summary of the council record) News report · Dec. 2025
  4. March 2026
    Money Metrobloks announces a $1.4 billion, three-building campus (press) News report · March 2026
  5. March 23, 2026
    Money Council takes up the industrial revenue bonds and community benefits agreement Local government · March 2026
  6. April 13, 2026
    Site Metrobloks and Lincoln Property Company announce a joint venture for the site Company · April 2026
  7. 2027
    Construction First tranche of capacity tentatively around Q3 2027 (press) News report · April 2026
  8. 2028
    Power Full capacity expected by late 2028 (press) News report · April 2026
The buildings

Specs

~30 acres
site the company says is already zoned and powered for data center use
Company · April 2026
At least 30 jobs
permanent, at about $95,600 a year (state announcement, press)
News report · March 2026
Who is involved

Owners, partners and builders

Owners
  • Metrobloks (Los Angeles): developer, CEO Ernest Popescu
  • Lincoln Property Company: joint venture partner
Decision-makers
  • Liberty City Council: approved plan, bonds and abatement
  • Evergy: electric utility
  • Missouri Public Service Commission: sets large-load tariff
Still unknown

Open questions

Where this comes from

67 records from 10 documents

Drawn from news reports, company statements, utility regulator dockets and local government records, each kept with its date and source. The bar shows documents by type.

News report 5Company 2Utility regulator 2Local government 1
Evidence

Every quote behind this page

Grade key: A = the primary record itself (permit, filing, exhibit) · B = a dated official statement · C = news reporting. Map distances are our own measurements on OpenStreetMap and carry no grade. Allegations in lawsuits are marked as such in the quotes.

Power (6)
  • Utility: Evergy (electric); the data center pays 100% of all direct costs for service and facility upgrades
    “Data centers are required to pay 100% of all direct costs for service to and upgrades needed for their facilities.”
    Local government · Oct. 2026 · grade B
  • Utility service: 150 MW
    “with flexibility to scale over time beyond the initial 150MW total utility power”
    Company · April 2026 · grade B
  • Status: entitled
    “Located in Liberty, Missouri, the newly acquired site represents approximately 30 acres of land already zoned and powered for data center use”
    Company · April 2026 · grade B
  • Project status: announced only - land acquired and entitled; City Council approved the project Dec 15, 2025; no construction start reported
    “Located in Liberty, Missouri, the newly acquired site represents approximately 30 acres of land already zoned and powered for data center use”
    Company · April 2026 · grade B
  • Site address: 2525 Old Hughes Road, Liberty, MO
    “The companies acquired an approximately 30-acre site at 2525 Old Hughes Road in Liberty, Mo., that is already zoned and powered for data center use.”
    News report · April 2026 · grade C
  • Missouri DED (via press): project expected to create at least 30 permanent jobs with an average annual wage of $95,649, plus hundreds of construction jobs
    “Missouri continues to compete and win on a global stage, and Metrobloks' $1.4 billion investment in Clay County is a powerful example of that momentum”
    News report · March 2026 · grade C
Money and contracts (22)
  • Metrobloks Project tax abatement (Plan for Industrial Development) - term: term Metrobloks Project tax abatement (Plan for Industrial Development): 25-year abatement period (city FAQ frames tax receipts 'over the life of
    “Over the life of the 25-year abatement, taxing jurisdictions will receive approximately $49 million, with Liberty Public Schools receiving approximately $30 million of that.”
    Local government · March 2026 · grade A
  • Metrobloks Project tax abatement - abatement scope: abatement scope Metrobloks Project tax abatement: Abatements apply to real and personal property taxes; project cost estimated $1.4 billion - approximately $543 million
    “The project will have abatements on real and personal property taxes. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $1.4 billion, consisting of approximately $543 million in real property improvements and $858 million in personal property.”
    Local government · March 2026 · grade A
  • Community Benefits Agreement (Liberty) - community contribution: community contribution Community Benefits Agreement: $27.75 million contribution over 25 years to the Liberty Institute for Science and Ethics, a city-crea
    “the developer and future tenants have agreed to support higher education in our community with a $27.75 million contribution over 25 years to the Liberty Institute for Science and Ethics”
    Local government · March 2026 · grade A
  • Industrial revenue bonds (Metrobloks Project): bond liability Industrial revenue bonds (Metrobloks Project): City-issued industrial revenue bonds approved by the City Council; the City does not back the bonds and taxpaye
    “Taxpayers have no responsibility for the repayment of the bonds.”
    Local government · March 2026 · grade A
  • Water service terms (Liberty Utilities) - closed-loop cooling: water usage cap Water service terms (Liberty Utilities): Closed-loop cooling (85% less water than a standard office building of its size); Liberty Utilities
    “Liberty Utilities has established a water usage limit for this development that if it is exceeded, higher rates are assessed. If they exceed a maximum threshold, the Utilities Department will reduce the flow to the property.”
    Local government · Dec. 2025 · grade A
  • Electric service cost allocation (Evergy): cost allocation Electric service cost allocation (Evergy): Data centers pay 100% of all direct costs for service and upgrades needed for their facilities; if the project grows t
    “Data centers are required to pay 100% of all direct costs for service to and upgrades needed for their facilities. Additionally, if this project grows to use 75MW of electricity, a Large Load Power Service tariff will be applied”
    Local government · Dec. 2025 · grade A
  • Industrial revenue bond: total project cost 1400000000 USD
    “The total cost of the project is estimated to be $1.4 billion, consisting of approximately $543 million in real property improvements and $858 million in personal property.”
    Local government · Oct. 2026 · grade B
  • Tax abatement agreement: term 25 years
    “Over the life of the 25-year abatement, taxing jurisdictions will receive approximately $49 million, with Liberty Public Schools receiving approximately $30 million of that.”
    Local government · Oct. 2026 · grade B
  • Tax abatement agreement: taxes to jurisdictions over abatement life 49000000 USD
    “Over the life of the 25-year abatement, taxing jurisdictions will receive approximately $49 million, with Liberty Public Schools receiving approximately $30 million of that.”
    Local government · Oct. 2026 · grade B
  • Tax abatement agreement: community benefits contribution 27750000 USD
    “the developer and future tenants have agreed to support higher education in our community with a $27.75 million contribution over 25 years to the Liberty Institute for Science and Ethics.”
    Local government · Oct. 2026 · grade B
  • Tax abatement agreement: job commitments 75 jobs
    “When completed, this project will provide approximately 75 jobs with average salaries of $95,000.”
    Local government · Oct. 2026 · grade B
  • County code: 29047
    “In addition to the $49 million in taxes for Clay County taxing jurisdictions, including $30 million for the Liberty School District”
    Local government · Oct. 2026 · grade B
  • Campus size: Three buildings totaling less than 560,000 sq ft on approximately 30 acres
    “When completed, this project will include three buildings, that total less than 560,000 square feet on approximately 30 acres.”
    Local government · Oct. 2026 · grade B
  • tax abatement - Plan for Industrial Development: 25-year abatement on real and personal property taxes; project cost estimated $1.4 billion 49000000 USD (projected taxes received over the 25-year abatement life)
    “Over the life of the 25-year abatement, taxing jurisdictions will receive approximately $49 million, with Liberty Public Schools receiving approximately $30 million of that.”
    Local government · Oct. 2026 · grade B
  • Community Benefits Agreement: contribution to the Liberty Institute for Science and Ethics 27750000 USD
    “the developer and future tenants have agreed to support higher education in our community with a $27.75 million contribution over 25 years to the Liberty Institute for Science and Ethics”
    Local government · Oct. 2026 · grade B
  • industrial revenue bonds: city does not back the bonds; developer solely responsible for repayment
    “The City does not “back” private sector bonds. The developer is solely responsible for the repayment of the bonds.”
    Local government · Oct. 2026 · grade B
  • Metrobloks-Lincoln joint venture announced Apr 13, 2026 (EIN Presswire): ~30-acre Liberty site recently acquired, already zoned and powered for data center use; multi-phase 568,000 sq ft campus scaling beyond an initial
    “The initial Kansas City Metro project is planned as a multi-phase, approximately 568,000-square-foot campus designed to support hyperscale, AI and enterprise data center workloads, with flexibility to scale beyond the initial 150MW total utility power.”
    Company · April 2026 · grade B
  • Planned investment: Up to $1.4 billion (company announcement, Mar 24, 2026)
    “today announced plans to invest up to $1.4 billion in a new high-density data center campus in Liberty, Missouri.”
    Company · March 2026 · grade B
  • Metrobloks Project tax abatement - reported abatement value: reported abatement value Metrobloks Project tax abatement: The Kansas City Star reported $229 million in tax abatements from the City of Liberty (via Commercia
    “The Liberty project benefits from ... The development will receive $229 million in tax abatements from the City of Liberty, The Kansas City Star reported.”
    News report · April 2026 · grade C
  • The Liberty development will receive $229 million in tax abatements from the City of Liberty (Kansas City Star, via Commercial Property Executive)
    “The development will receive $229 million in tax abatements from the City of Liberty, The Kansas City Star reported.”
    News report · April 2026 · grade C
  • Commercial Property Executive reports the Liberty project will receive $229 million in tax abatements from the City of Liberty, as reported by The Kansas City Star; the city FAQ does not state this figure
    “The development will receive $229 million in tax abatements from the City of Liberty, The Kansas City Star reported.”
    News report · April 2026 · grade C
  • Metrobloks first announced plans to invest $1.4 billion in Liberty in March 2026
    “Metrobloks first announced plans to invest $1.4 billion in Liberty in March.”
    News report · March 2026 · grade C
Permits and government (8)
  • City of Liberty Planning & Zoning Commission:
    “The Planning & Zoning Commission met regarding this project on December 9, 2025. The City Council took up and approved this project on December 15, 2025, both of these meetings included a public hearing for the public to comment.”
    Local government · Dec. 2025 · grade A
  • Commission approved the LLPS settlement for Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri Wes: settlement approved - Evergy Large Load Power Service (Schedule LLPS) rate plan
    “The Missouri Public Service Commission approved a settlement for a large load rate plan for Evergy Metro, Inc. and Evergy Missouri West, Inc. to support the growth of electric customers with 75 megawatts (MW) or more”
    Utility regulator · Nov. 2025 · grade A
  • IRB/abatement ordinance: approved
    “The City Council took up and approved this project on December 15, 2025, both of these meetings included a public hearing for the public to comment.”
    Local government · Oct. 2026 · grade B
  • City of Liberty City Council:
    “Is the City "backing" the industrial revenue bonds approved by the City Council? No. The City does not "back" private sector bonds. The developer is solely responsible for the repayment of the bonds.”
    Local government · March 2026 · grade B
  • project approval (industrial development): Approved
    “The Planning & Zoning Commission met regarding this project on December 9, 2025. The City Council took up and approved this project on December 15, 2025”
    Local government · Dec. 2025 · grade B
  • City of Liberty City Council:
    “The Liberty City Council approved the final development plan in an 8 to 0 vote.”
    News report · Dec. 2025 · grade C
  • Planning permission secured in December 2025 for the first 177,000 sq ft, two-story building at 2515 Old Hughes Road, Liberty
    “Local news report the company is developing at 2515 Old Hughes Road, securing planning permission for the first 177,000 sq ft, two-story building in December.”
    News report · Dec. 2025 · grade C
  • planning permission: Secured (as reported)
    “Local news report the company is developing at 2515 Old Hughes Road, securing planning permission for the first 177,000 sq ft (16,445 sqm), two-story building in December.”
    News report · Dec. 2025 · grade C
Site and other (5)
  • Site location: South of South Liberty Parkway, east of Hughes Road, Liberty, MO; east of the Ford Stamping Plant and north of Liberty Commerce Center
    “This project will be located on property that was already zoned industrial and is located south of South Liberty Parkway, east of Hughes Road.”
    Local government · Oct. 2026 · grade B
  • Closed-loop cooling: the system is filled once and topped off as water evaporates; the city states it will use 85% less water than a standard office building of its size, and Liberty Utilities set a usage limit with high
    “The project uses a closed loop system for cooling, which is filled once and only topped off when it evaporates. It will use 85% less water than a standard office building of its size.”
    Local government · Oct. 2026 · grade B
  • JV spokesperson: first tranche of development tentatively around Q3 2027, full capacity expected by late 2028 (Commercial Property Executive)
    “tentatively, the first tranche of development will occur around the third quarter of 2027 and that full capacity is expected by late 2028”
    News report · Oct. 2026 · grade C
  • JV spokesperson told Commercial Property Executive the first tranche is tentatively expected around Q3 2027, with full capacity by late 2028
    “tentatively, the first tranche of development will occur around the third quarter of 2027 and that full capacity is expected by late 2028”
    News report · April 2026 · grade C
  • Change.org petition 'Address concerns over MetroBloks data center project' demands transparency on infrastructure cost responsibility, water consumption, tax incentives and generator noise, noting approvals were granted
    “While some approvals have already been granted, there remain significant questions that have left us, the residents of Liberty, in the dark.”
    News report · 2026 · grade C