Developers downsize Brisbane data center, warehouse proposal

The project intends to close the Guadalupe Quarry, which has been a source of mined aggregate material since 1895, and construct two industrial buildings totaling 890,000 square feet on separate parcels. Over $15 million in initial revenue is estimated for the city of Brisbane, and 82 acres of land will be maintained as protected open space.

One building would be a two-level data center, and the other a two-level building “suitable for a combination of modern warehousing, light industrial, assembly and manufacturing uses,” according to a press release.

The proposal looks to address a “huge need” on the Peninsula, developers say.

“Our new development plan contemplates the creation of a data center, advanced manufacturing and warehouse space, serving the San Francisco Peninsula — a region that hasn’t seen new infill industrial development for more than 30 years,” Tyler Higgins, managing partner at Orchard Partners, said in a press release.

Heights from the buildings have been reduced from 100 feet to 80 feet, and would result in less truck traffic and environmental impacts, according to Don Little, a partner at Orchard Partners. Warehouse use could also be reduced significantly by 70% than initially proposed, curbing some residents’ concerns for a giant Amazon-esque warehouse, however, developers have not commented on possible tenants.

Developers believe the updated proposal provides meaningful community benefits and will still remain attentive to the surrounding land.

“We see tremendous potential for this project to promote sustainability and honor the industrial legacy of Brisbane, while respecting the environment and expanding protecting open space for wildlife habitat,” Higgins said.

However, despite the reduction in size — which developers said was in direct response to feedback from the Brisbane community — environmental activists who have long fought to preserve the natural habitat and protect endangered species still oppose the project.

For Del Schembari, a member of the Mountain Butterfly Collective, an organization fighting against the development, his opinion remains unchanged by the updated proposal.

“Wrong project, wrong place,” Schembari said.

Though proponents of closing the quarry, activists imagine “recovery and restoration” of the space rather than redevelopment, according to the San Bruno Mountain Watch website. The group, which used to be the Committee to Save San Bruno Mountain, has fought battles against development on the mountain since the 1970s.

Since 2020, production at the quarry has significantly lessened but remains ongoing and has enough aggregate material to be mined for another 20 or so years. Historically, mining at the quarry has provided materials to Highway 101 and the San Francisco International Airport.

“Some will never like this project, but that has always been the intention, to be a project to take care of the mountain,” Higgins said previously.