In 2016, Facebook will likely surpass 1.6 billion monthly active users, and with masses of users, comes masses of data. Construction of Facebook’s fourth U.S. data center is well underway at the aptly named “4500 Like Way” in Fort Worth, Texas. Permit information reveals that the development began back in May 2015 under the alias “Project Ernst”. The data center aims to be 100% renewable, and has already contributed 200 MW of wind energy to the Texas grid.
The project has cost $229,719,000 to date, and that’s just the beginning. Facebook claims that it will ultimately spend at least 500 million on the project. Projects this size are picked up and flagged by BuildZoom’s proprietary technology, which automatically collects and analyzes building permits filed as public records across America.
So far, the bulk of the project is captured in 8 general construction building permits. These were obtained in a joint venture by California’s DPR Construction and Oregon’s Fortis Construction. The 17 plumbing and 8 mechanical permits were obtained by local Texan contractors TDIndustries and Powers Plumbing, while Rosendin Electric of California obtained all 7 electrical permits.
Overall the project has required 39 building permits so far. New progress and a detailed account of the permits can be found on the BuildZoom profile for the data center.
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