Taylor, Texas – For decades, Pamela Griffin remembered a promise that the 87‑acre tract just outside her home would become a neighborhood park. The promise was written in a 1999 deed when the Bland family sold the land to the Texas Parks and Recreation Foundation, stating it was to be held “in trust for future use as a parkland by Williamson County.” Today, that same parcel is slated to host a 135,000‑square‑foot data center operated by Blueprint Data Centers.
Legal fight rooted in deed language
Griffin, a 58‑year‑old retired learning‑center director, filed a complaint in the Texas Court of Appeals seeking to halt the project. She argues that the original deed language creates a binding obligation that was ignored when the city of Taylor acquired the land in 2003 and later transferred it to the Taylor Economic Development Corporation in 2009. The deed restriction, she says, was never carried forward in subsequent sales, including the 2025 sale to Blueprint’s parent company for $10 million.
Community concerns about the data center
Residents of the 18,000‑person town have voiced worries about noise, water consumption, and potential power shortages that a large data center could bring. The site sits less than a half‑mile from Griffin’s home, and a separate 665‑acre project called “Project Mustang” is also under consideration just outside city limits, where Taylor officials lack regulatory authority.
State oversight adds pressure
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has opened an investigation into whether the original deed language still carries legal weight. The AG’s office is reviewing the chain of title to determine if the promised parkland restriction can be enforced, a move that underscores the importance of honoring private‑gift commitments to local communities.
Historical context of the land
The parcel’s history is tied to Taylor’s Black community. Griffin’s grandmother bought land on the town’s south side after the Fair Housing Act made discrimination illegal, providing a home for her eight children. In the 1950s, a nearby dump was transformed into Fannie Robinson Park, the first park for Black residents, after a Black physician negotiated its dedication.
City actions and future outlook
City officials say they were unaware of the deed restriction when they acquired the land in 2003. Because no legally enforceable restriction was recorded, the city argues the donor’s wishes did not transfer with the deed. Nonetheless, the appeals court will consider Griffin’s arguments alongside the state investigation, and the outcome could set a precedent for how Texas municipalities handle historic land‑gift promises.
What’s at stake for Taylor families
If the data center proceeds, the neighborhood could see increased traffic, higher utility demand, and a loss of green space that generations of children have used for play. Conversely, supporters of the project point to job creation and the city’s role in the broader Central Texas tech boom, which already includes a Samsung semiconductor fab on the north side of town.
Griffin remains committed to preserving the land for future generations, saying, “My father told us to guard this land. It should always be a homestead for the community.” The appeals court’s decision, combined with the Attorney General’s findings, will determine whether the promised parkland can be restored or if the data center will move forward.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
