A nearly three-decade-old land donation in Taylor, Texas has become the subject of a legal dispute after property originally designated for future parkland was sold for a data center project. The 87.97-acre land was donated in 1999 for a nominal fee of $10, with deed language stating that it was to be held in trust for future use as parkland. After a series of transfers between non-profit organizations and public entities, the land was sold to data center developer Blueprint for $10 million in 2025. City officials have cited the economic benefits of the project, while residents challenging the development argue that the original deed restrictions should be retained.
From a $10 park donation to a $10 million land sale
On July 7, 1999, descendants of local farmer TJ Bland transferred approximately 87.97 acres of land to the Texas Parks and Recreation Foundation for $10. The deed stated that the land was to be “held in trust for future use as parkland” in Williamson County.Residents familiar with the history of the property have said that Bland wanted the land to serve as a recreational space for the local community. The deed language has since become a significant part of the legal dispute concerning the future use of the site.The property changed hands several times after the original donation.In 2003, the Texas Parks and Recreation Foundation transferred the land to the Williamson County Park Foundation. About a month later, the Williamson County Park Foundation transferred the property to the City of Taylor.In 2008, the City of Taylor sold the land to the Taylor Economic Development Corporation (TEDC) for $15,000. The most recent transfer occurred in 2025, when TEDC sold the property to Blueprint for $10 million.The order of transfers is at the center of ongoing legal arguments over whether the original parkland restrictions are enforceable.Blueprint plans to build a 135,000-square-foot data center on the property. Data centers contain computer servers and networking infrastructure used to support cloud computing, online services, data storage, and artificial intelligence applications.The proposed facility is part of a broader increase in data center development across the United States as demand for digital infrastructure continues to grow.
Concerns expressed by residents
Residents living near the site have raised concerns about the potential impacts of the project on the surrounding area. Issues cited during public discussion included noise, electricity demand, water use, and potential impacts on nearby property values.Some residents have also focused on the original purpose of the land, arguing that property donated for future parkland should not be converted to any other use.Opposition groups participated in public meetings and took legal action challenging the development.
Economic impact cited by officials
City officials have said the project could generate about $30 million in tax revenue over the next decade.About $20 million of that money could benefit local schools, according to city estimates. Officials have also pointed to the broader economic impact associated with a major technology infrastructure project.The city has said the site’s existing zoning limits its ability to stop the proposed development.
Legal proceedings are ongoing
Residents challenging the project have filed lawsuits seeking to block the development. Court decisions to date have generally sided with the developer, allowing the project to move forward through the approval process.Opponents have appealed the case to the Third Appeals Court in Austin. One of the key issues under review is whether the parkland requirement contained in the 1999 deed will remain legally binding following the subsequent transfer of the property.The dispute has attracted attention because it involves land that was originally donated with the stipulation of a specific public use. The case comes at a time when data center construction is expanding rapidly across the United States.The outcome of the appeal can help determine how similar deed restrictions are interpreted when donated land is transferred between organizations and government entities over long periods of time.