Colonial School District could receive $15.4 million a year in new property tax revenue if a proposed data center at 900 Conshohocken Road wins zoning approval, according to an economic impact study released Tuesday, Aug. 4, by the project's developer.
The projection dwarfs the $144 annual tax increase CSD homeowners absorbed under the district's 2026-27 budget. But the study was commissioned and paid for by 900 Conshohocken Road LLC, the entity controlled by developer Brian O'Neill that is seeking the zoning approval, as first reported by MoreThanTheCurve. No independent review of its assumptions has been published.
Where the numbers don't add up
In a press release accompanying the study, O'Neill claimed the project would "generate $424 million in new tax revenue over 20 years, with the majority flowing directly into Colonial School District classrooms. Blocking the project keeps that revenue at zero."
The study itself, prepared by consulting firm 4ward Planning, tells a smaller story. Its own 20-year fiscal tables show $225.6 million in total tax revenue across all state and local governments. The study also contains an internal note reading "IMPACTS TO BE UPDATED TO REFLECT 20-YEAR LEASE," suggesting the economic section was still being finalized when O'Neill released it.
At the project level, the study projects CSD would receive roughly $15.4 million annually once the facility reaches stabilized operations, projected for late 2030. The $15.4 million figure reflects the first full fiscal year, 2031. That would represent about 9% of the district's current $168.8 million annual budget.
What it would mean for CSD families
The study assumes the 1.95-million-square-foot former Cleveland-Cliffs steel mill would be assessed at approximately $300 per square foot after conversion, expanding Plymouth Township's $1.80 billion property tax base by roughly 32%. Real estate taxes account for nearly all of the projected benefit.
Because data centers employ relatively few on-site workers (371 permanent jobs at stabilization, according to the study) the analysis argues the project would generate minimal new school-age population while sending substantial tax revenue to CSD. The district approved a 3.5% tax rate increase on June 8 and added three teachers to address rising enrollment, according to CSD's finance page.
Township opposition remains firm
Plymouth Township Council has formally authorized its solicitor to oppose the application. Council Chairwoman Lynne Viscio said during a July 27 livestream, before the study's release, that "the Township will not entertain such theatrics" from O'Neill, after the council accused the developer of backing out of previously agreed-upon conditions.
The township developed a 43-point conditions plan covering health, safety and project mitigations. O'Neill's lawyers are challenging Plymouth Township's zoning ordinance, arguing the conditions are too burdensome. Under Pennsylvania law, the township cannot outright reject a lawful land use but can enforce zoning rules and require mitigations.
What's next
The Plymouth Township Zoning Hearing Board takes its first substantive testimony on the application Thursday, Aug. 6, at 7 p.m. at Colonial Middle School, 716 Belvoir Road, Plymouth Meeting. The hearing will be livestreamed. The process is expected to require multiple sessions; no final decision date has been announced.
