Mayor Woodfin Denied Role in Data Center Sale
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin dismissed allegations regarding his wife's firm and a city project.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Data Centers
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Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin has publicly denied his wife's involvement in the property sale for a contentious data center in Oxmoor Valley. This comes as local residents seek records through subpoenas against 10 parties involved in the development at 201 Milan Parkway.
Why it matters
Residents believe the developer inflated property prices and rushed permits prior to a city moratorium, while the mayor maintains the subpoena attempt is a political effort to damage his reputation.
The proposed data center at 201 Milan Parkway spans 450,000 square feet across a 75-acre site. The facility is projected to create 78 permanent jobs and require an estimated 700,000 gallons of water annually for cooling systems.
The players
Randall Woodfin
He is the Mayor of Birmingham who has defended his integrity against claims regarding a property sale.
Kendra Woodfin
She is the founder and broker for Iron City Premier Realty and the wife of the mayor.
Nebius Inc.
It is the company behind the proposed data center project in the Oxmoor Valley area.
Regions Bank
It is a financial institution that filed a formal objection to a proposed subpoena related to the project.
Hoar Construction
It is one of the entities named in a lawsuit brought by local residents regarding the development.
The details
Residents filed a lawsuit in June 2026 to halt the construction of the facility, challenging the city's issuance of tax incentives to Nebius Inc. The city attorney has since filed a formal objection to the subpoena request directed at Iron City Premier Realty, which is led by the mayor's wife.
Timeline
March 2026: The City of Birmingham implemented a moratorium on new data center projects.
June 2026: Oxmoor Valley residents filed an initial lawsuit against project developers.
September 16-22, 2026: Residents filed notices of intent to serve subpoenas on 10 involved parties.
September 30, 2026: Regions Bank filed a formal court objection to the proposed subpoena.
October 5, 2026: A judge scheduled a hearing to address the various objections to the subpoena requests.
The Tech Race
The controversy surrounding this project highlights ongoing tensions between municipal infrastructure expansion and local zoning restrictions. The legal battle over the 201 Milan Parkway site underscores a broader industry challenge as cities attempt to regulate data center placement through measures like the City of Birmingham's March 2026 data center moratorium.
The legal battle may lead to delays or modifications in local construction and land use projects if the court upholds the subpoena requests. Residents living near the site face uncertainty regarding long-term environmental impacts and the potential change in local utility usage for the proposed facility.
The takeaway
The ongoing legal proceedings serve as a reminder that large-scale infrastructure projects are subject to intense scrutiny from local residents. Establishing clear communication and transparency remains essential for any company or official looking to navigate municipal development regulations.
What happens next
A judge is scheduled to hear arguments regarding the objections to the subpoena requests on October 5, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on infrastructure development and local policy, visit the Data Centers section.
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