A California company has proposed developing data centers at multiple fairgrounds across the state, including at least eight locations in the Bay Area. Local fairground operators are reviewing the proposal as a potential source of long-term lease revenue while expanding parking capacity and emergency response infrastructure.
Key Takeaways
- Global Stack has proposed data centers at at least eight Bay Area fairgrounds.
- Each proposed development includes a data center, parking garage and helicopter landing pad.
- Cow Palace and San Mateo Event Center confirmed discussions remain preliminary.
- Calistoga Fairgrounds decided not to move forward after residents raised concerns.
- The company plans to pursue similar projects at fairgrounds across California by 2030.
The Bay Area data centers proposal from California-based Global Stack is being reviewed by multiple fairgrounds across the region after the company introduced a plan to develop technology infrastructure alongside parking facilities and emergency response assets. The proposal includes at least eight Bay Area locations and has entered preliminary discussions with several fairground operators, making it one of the region’s largest proposed fairground redevelopment concepts focused on digital infrastructure.
Global Stack’s proposal combines three primary elements at each participating site: an AI-ready data center, a multi-level parking structure and a helicopter landing pad designed to support emergency response activities. According to the company, each project would occupy approximately five acres while allowing the remaining fairground property to continue hosting events and community activities.
What Does the Bay Area Data Center Proposal Include?
Proposed Facilities at Each Fairground
The proposed developments would include data centers with a capacity of approximately 8 to 10 megawatts, parking garages capable of adding between 500 and 1,500 parking spaces, and helicopter landing facilities intended for emergency operations.
Global Stack has presented the concept as a long-term public-private partnership with California fairgrounds. Under the proposal, participating venues would enter extended land lease agreements that could generate recurring revenue while retaining their primary role as event venues.
The company has also stated that parking structures would be financed as part of the development rather than through public funding. Additional parking capacity could help fairgrounds accommodate larger events while addressing one of the operational challenges identified by venue operators.
The helicopter landing pads are intended to support emergency transportation during natural disasters, medical incidents and evacuation efforts. Many California fairgrounds already serve as emergency facilities during disasters, making emergency access an important consideration for venue operators.
Current Status of Bay Area Discussions
Global Stack has discussed its proposal with several California fairgrounds, including multiple locations in the Bay Area.
Cow Palace in Daly City confirmed that discussions with the company remain in the exploratory stage. Officials stated they are evaluating the proposal before making any decisions regarding future development.
The San Mateo Event Center also confirmed that conversations are preliminary. Venue leadership said the proposal is still being reviewed and that no commitment has been made.
The proposal has also been presented to other California fairgrounds, including Calistoga Fairgrounds, Solano County Fairgrounds and additional venues outside the Bay Area.
Calistoga Fairgrounds decided not to pursue the proposal after residents expressed concerns regarding issues including noise and pollution. That decision reflects that each venue will independently evaluate whether the project aligns with local priorities and operational requirements.
Global Stack stated that its broader objective is to develop similar projects at approximately 70 California fairgrounds by 2030, although each location would require its own review process before any agreement could move forward.
Why Are Fairgrounds Considering the Proposal?
Revenue and Emergency Response Plans
Fairground operators identified several reasons for reviewing the proposal.
One consideration is the opportunity for predictable long-term lease income. Fairgrounds often depend on seasonal events, exhibitions and entertainment activities, resulting in revenue that can fluctuate throughout the year. A long-term tenant could provide an additional source of financial stability.
Venue operators also identified parking as an operational issue. Larger events can exceed available parking capacity, requiring venues to turn away visitors once parking areas reach capacity. Additional structured parking could increase attendance capacity while creating another source of operating revenue.
Emergency preparedness has also become part of the discussion.
Many California fairgrounds serve as emergency response locations during earthquakes, wildfires, flooding and other disasters. Fairgrounds have previously been used as evacuation centers, temporary public facilities and emergency support locations. The proposed helicopter landing pads could provide additional transportation options during emergency operations if developed.
Officials reviewing the proposal have emphasized that discussions remain exploratory and that technical, environmental and operational reviews would be necessary before any project could proceed. The infrastructure requirements for new facilities have also prompted broader discussions about AI water usage and data centers in regions where utility resources are an important planning consideration.
How Could the Development Affect Local Infrastructure?
Each proposed facility would require electrical service, telecommunications connectivity and supporting infrastructure capable of operating a modern data center.
Industry experts have noted that an 8-to-10-megawatt facility would represent a relatively small data center compared with some of the largest facilities currently being built elsewhere. Even so, such a facility would consume substantial electricity and require access to reliable power and fiber-optic networks.
The proposal limits each development to roughly five acres of fairground property, allowing existing venues to continue operating exhibitions, fairs and community events.
Global Stack has stated that the parking structures and emergency facilities would operate alongside the technology infrastructure rather than replacing fairground operations. The proposal also reflects the continued rise of data centers as organizations expand computing capacity to support AI applications.
Because many fairgrounds already support large public gatherings, existing transportation access and utility infrastructure could be factors that make these sites suitable for evaluation. Individual locations would still require project-specific reviews before construction could begin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Global Stack proposing for Bay Area fairgrounds?
Global Stack has proposed building AI-ready data centers alongside multi-level parking garages and helicopter landing pads at several California fairgrounds, including at least eight locations in the Bay Area.
Which Bay Area fairgrounds are part of the proposal?
Cow Palace in Daly City and the San Mateo Event Center have confirmed preliminary discussions. The proposal has also been presented to additional California fairgrounds, while each venue continues its own review process.
What facilities would be included in each development?
Each proposal includes an 8-to-10-megawatt data center, a structured parking garage and a helicopter landing pad intended to support emergency response operations.
Has the Bay Area data center proposal been approved?
No. Fairground operators have stated that discussions remain preliminary, and no final development agreements or construction approvals have been announced for the Bay Area locations.
