County Weighs Midlothian Middle School Sites Amid Data Center Concerns
TL;DR: Chesterfield County supervisors and school officials are weighing two proposed sites to replace the century-old Midlothian Middle School, with one location drawing parent concerns due to its proximity to Google's planned data center campus.
Quick facts
- Who: Chesterfield County supervisors, school leaders, and parents
- What: Evaluating two sites for Midlothian Middle School replacement amid data center proximity concerns
- When: Ongoing in 2026; board deferred decision in January 2026
- Where: Midlothian area near Chesterfield County
The story
Chesterfield County's century-old Midlothian Middle School, which serves 1,330 students and requires an estimated $20 million in repairs, faces significant overcrowding. County supervisors and school officials are evaluating two potential sites to build a replacement facility.
One proposed location is at 500 Old Hundred Road, while a second option sits at 1101 Otterdale Road. The Otterdale Road site, consisting of 98 acres, sits less than a mile from Google's planned Project Loch data center campus, positioned between Otterdale Road and Old Hundred Road west of Route 288 and south of Route 60 in Midlothian.
This proximity to Project Loch has sparked concern among parents, who worry that a new middle school near the campus could expose students and staff to noise, air quality issues, and water pollution associated with large-scale data center operations. Residents have specifically questioned backup generator operations, noise limits at nearby homes, cumulative air quality impacts from multiple data centers in the area, and potential long-term health effects. The Virginia Department of Health has stated it is unaware of scientific studies establishing recommended distances between schools and data centers.
Several site constraints prevent rebuilding at the existing Midlothian Middle School location, including low elevation on the available land at the current campus.
The Board of Supervisors deferred action in January 2026 on acquiring the 98-acre Otterdale Road site for $10.5 million, after recent reporting created confusion among residents about the project. The property, owned by an LLC tied to developer East West Communities, was purchased for $1.5 million in 2021 and has a recent assessment of $392,000. The intended development would also include a new elementary school and police station on the site, with county officials estimating that approximately 65 acres would be needed for these facilities.
The middle school replacement received partial funding through the county's 2022 bond referendum. As of September 2026, the board continues to evaluate site options and community feedback as officials work toward a final decision on where to build the replacement school.
Key players
- Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors: Responsible for approving land acquisition and school site selection
- Chesterfield County Public Schools: School system responsible for identifying and developing new facility
- Google: Developer of planned Project Loch data center campus in Midlothian area
Key dates
- January 2026: Board of Supervisors deferred decision on Otterdale Road land acquisition
- 2028: Google's Project Skye data center campus expected to come online
- 2037: Google's Project Loch data center campus could be operational
The case for
The Otterdale Road site provides substantial acreage (98 acres) to accommodate not only a new Midlothian Middle School but also a new elementary school and police station, consolidating multiple needed facilities at one location. The site is in a developing area near Route 288 and existing county infrastructure. The school replacement is critical, as the current building is 102 years old and deteriorating, and using this site would free the county from constraints at the existing campus that prevent rebuilding there.
The case against
The Otterdale Road site's proximity to Google's Project Loch data center campus (less than a mile away) raises health and quality-of-life concerns for students and staff. Parents worry about continuous noise from data center operations, air emissions from backup generators during testing or emergencies, and potential water and light pollution. The Virginia Department of Health acknowledges a lack of scientific guidance on safe distances between schools and data centers, leaving uncertainty about long-term student and staff health impacts. An alternative site at Old Hundred Road would avoid this exposure.
Why it matters: The decision will determine whether hundreds of Midlothian students attend school near a major data center with unknown environmental and health impacts, or in an alternative location. It also represents a significant financial commitment ($10.5 million or more) and reflects broader tensions between Chesterfield's growth as a tech hub and residents' concerns about balancing development with community health and quality of life.
Places
- Midlothian Middle School
- Route 288
- Otterdale Road
- Old Hundred Road
- Midlothian area
- Google Project Loch
Development timeline
- 2021Otterdale Road property purchased by East West Communities: LLC acquired 98 acres for $1.5 million; assessed at $392,000 before county purchase [source]
- 2022Chesterfield County voters approve Community Facilities Bond: Bond referendum includes partial funding for Midlothian Middle School replacement [source]
- December 2025County considers land acquisition at Otterdale Road: Plan to purchase 98 acres for $10.5 million to develop Midlothian Middle School replacement, elementary school, and police station [source]
- January 2026Board of Supervisors defers decision on Otterdale Road purchase: Board voted to defer land acquisition vote to January 28 meeting, citing confusion from recent reporting about the project [source]
- June 2026Google announces Project Loch data center campus details: Project Loch located on 221-334 acres in Midlothian between Otterdale Road and Old Hundred Road; will feature three massive data center buildings with on-site power substations [source]
- September 2026Board continues evaluating Midlothian Middle School replacement sites: County supervisors and school officials still weighing 500 Old Hundred Road and 1101 Otterdale Road options amid ongoing parent concerns about data center proximity [source]
Related links
- Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors Agendas and Minutes
- Chesterfield County Public Schools
- Chesterfield County Official Website
Read the original at WRIC 8News (YouTube) →
Sources
- Chesterfield weighs sites for new Midlothian Middle School amid data center concerns (WRIC ABC 8News)
- Chesterfield supervisors opt against Otterdale Road land purchase (VPM)
- Chesterfield to buy nearly 100 acres near Midlothian for new school sites (Richmond BizSense)
- Google's $9B bet on a trio of Chesterfield data center campuses (VPM)
- Chesterfield parents share concerns on data centers near local schools (WRIC ABC 8News)