North Pekin residents told old AMC theaters will not be data center
North Pekin residents are opposing the rezoning of the former AMC Pekin 14 theater to light industrial, citing fears the site could become a data center. Property owner Jeff Agan and Village President Steve Flowers have denied these rumors, stating the change is intended to attract warehousing and small businesses to maintain the tax base.
Residents filled a Monday night meeting wearing “NO Data Center” t-shirts to protest the proposal. Many attendees told officials this was the first meeting they had ever attended, noting that rumors of a data center drove their participation.
The property at 1124 Edgewater Drive was sold to North 52, LLC in December 2025. Jeff Agan, the sole owner and managing member of the LLC, stated that movie theaters are not returning to the site.
Why are North Pekin residents opposing the AMC theater rezoning?
Community members fear that rezoning the site from retail to light industrial is a first step toward heavy industrial zoning, which would allow for large-scale data centers. This suspicion follows a separate data center proposal at the nearby Lutticken Property, which Pekin city officials paused due to potential impacts.
Dave Milam, a data center opponent and Pekin resident, said his previous experience at Pekin council meetings made him cautious. Milam stated that board members in Pekin initially did not understand what a data center was, which prompted his involvement.
Other residents requested written documentation and transparency regarding safeguards before any data center proposal is considered for North Pekin.
What are the plans for the former AMC Pekin 14?
Jeff Agan stated the rezoning is necessary to make the property marketable for sale. He argued that light industrial zoning would attract warehousing and small businesses, which he believes provides more traction than the current single-use retail designation.
Agan denied any connection to data center operators. “It won’t be a data center, because if it is, I would just be finding out the news,” Agan said.
Village President Steve Flowers told 25News that rumors of a data center started on Facebook and have no merit. Flowers cited the logistics of the area and the space requirements for such facilities as reasons why a data center is unlikely to locate there in the foreseeable future.
What happens next with the zoning vote?
The North Pekin Planning and Zoning Commission is scheduled to vote on the rezoning request on Tuesday, June 9, at 6 p.m.
Agan has confirmed he will attend the meeting to answer further questions from the public. Depending on the outcome, the property could be transitioned to light industrial use, or the request may be denied or modified based on resident concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who currently owns the AMC Pekin 14 property?
The property is owned by Jeff Agan, the managing member and sole owner of North 52, LLC.
Why is the property being rezoned?
According to Jeff Agan, the rezoning to light industrial is intended to make the property more marketable for warehousing and small businesses since movie theaters are not coming back.
What is the difference between light and heavy industrial zoning in this context?
Residents expressed concern that light industrial zoning could eventually be changed to heavy industrial zoning, which would be required for large-scale data centers.
Do you believe rezoning abandoned retail spaces for light industrial use is the best way to maintain a local tax base?