Project Steel — Data Center Campus, Yorkville
South of Galena Road, east of Eldamain Road, west of IL Route 47 (North Bridge Street) — Yorkville, IL (Kendall County)
Summary
Prologis, L.P.'s "Project Steel" — a 550-acre, 16-building data center campus — was approved by the Yorkville City Council on March 24, 2026, with one dissenting vote (Alderman Rusty Corneils) and one absence (Alderman Rusty Hyett). The council approved annexation into the city, rezoning to M-2 General Manufacturing, and development, infrastructure, and utility agreements.
The project will be built in three phases over approximately 20 years, ultimately supporting roughly 500 permanent jobs plus thousands of construction positions. Prologis will pay $40 million in upfront impact fees, with the majority directed to the Yorkville 115 School District.
Residents raised concerns about noise, energy and water consumption, property values, and the growing concentration of industrial data centers near residential neighborhoods. Project Steel is one of three data center campuses the City of Yorkville has now approved, alongside Project Cardinal (Pioneer Development) and CyrusOne.
Key Facts
Data Center Buildings
16 buildings totaling 9+ million sq ft
Total Site
~550 acres
Electrical Substations
3 proposed substations
Build-Out Timeline
3 phases over approximately 20 years
Permanent Jobs
~500 at full build-out, plus thousands of construction jobs
Water Usage
~25,000 gallons/day; up to ~42,500 gallons/day at peak
Developer Impact Fees
$40 million upfront; majority to Yorkville 115 School District
Companion Project
"Project Cardinal" — 1,037 acres; separate $51 million city agreement
* Projected figures from Village of Minooka fact sheet.
Timeline of Events
March 24, 2026
City Council approves annexation, rezoning, and development agreements
United City of Yorkville City Council
Council voted to approve property annexation into Yorkville, rezoning to M-2 General Manufacturing, and authorization of development, infrastructure, and utility agreements. Alderman Rusty Corneils cast the sole dissenting vote; Alderman Rusty Hyett was absent. Alderman Joe Plocher voted yes, citing relief of the tax burden on existing residents. Residents of the Bristol Bay subdivision and others spoke in opposition, citing concerns about noise, water use, property values, and the concentration of industrial development near homes.
March 2026
Application packages updated through latest submittal
Prologis, L.P.
Most recent revisions to the Project Steel application submitted to the City of Yorkville, including updated site plans reflecting 16 buildings (down from original 18).
August 13, 2025
Planning & Zoning Commission hearing
Yorkville Planning & Zoning Commission
Hearing on the proposed rezoning from R-1 to M-2 General Manufacturing District and Planned Unit Development, including requested modifications to interior yard setbacks, energy use standards, and minimum parking requirements.
June 24, 2025
City Council public hearing on annexation agreement
United City of Yorkville City Council
Public hearing on the annexation agreement covering parcels within the ~550-acre site.
How Officials Voted
| Official | Title | Vote | Date | Meeting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rusty Corneils | Alderman | No | March 24, 2026 | Yorkville City Council — Project Steel approval |
| Joe Plocher | Alderman | Yes | March 24, 2026 | Yorkville City Council — Project Steel approval |
| Rusty Hyett | Alderman | Absent | March 24, 2026 | Yorkville City Council — Project Steel approval |
Incentive Agreements
$40 million in upfront impact fees paid by Prologis upon approval; majority directed to Yorkville Community Unit School District 115
Approved by: City of Yorkville
Documents Library
| Document | Type | Date | Source | Link |
|---|
Resources & Coverage
Reports council approval of Project Steel on March 25, 2026. Notes $40 million in impact fees (majority to Yorkville 115 School District), ~500 permanent jobs at buildout, and resident opposition from Bristol Bay subdivision. Alderman Plocher voted yes citing tax burden relief; Alderman Corneils voted no.
Covers the March 24, 2026 council vote approving annexation, rezoning to M-2, and development agreements for Prologis's 550-acre, 16-building campus. Alderman Corneils was the sole no vote; Alderman Hyett was absent. A secondary data center project by Yorkville Nexus V LLC (91 acres, south of Corneils Road) was tabled for a future meeting.
Official city page for Project Steel. Includes application packages, hearing notices, and details on the proposed 16-building campus on ~550 acres, petitioned by Prologis, L.P.