Statements coming from the announced Flint Hills Digital Campus developer in an unrelated federal bankruptcy case have sparked a lot of questions about levels of involvement, some of which have been answered earlier.
Gary Pinkston, who has described himself as the developer of the proposed data center campus in west Emporia, was questioned under oath last month as part of a 341 Meeting of Creditors connected to a Chapter 11 case in the Georgia Northern District. When questioned initially about whether he was familiar with the Digital Campus, Pinkston said no. After the question then mentioned the local data center, Pinkston said his daughters are working on the data center and he has no interest in the project. He also said under oath he has no ownership in Kanza Park Place and separately said he did not write the statement on the Flint Hills Digital Campus website calling him the project developer.
The statements are in sharp contrast to what Pinkston’s introduction letter says at flinthillsdigitalcampus.com, which still lists Pinkston as the developer. They also contrast with Pinkston’s indicated involvement on KVOE’s Morning Show on June 19:
At the time, Pinkston called the Digital Campus a “legacy project” for his family.
Pinkston also said family members would own the the project and he would have no ownership during the interview.
In addition to different policies now under discussion and a development agreement yet to be discussed, Pinkston also referred to himself as one of the guardrails for a project benefiting Emporia.
Garrett Nordstrom, the project spokesman and strategist, confirms Pinkston’s two adult daughters own Kanza Park Place and the ownership has not changed. According to Nordstrom, Pinkston is the president with no financial interest in the project. Exactly who is now developing the project has not been answered.
Nordstrom also clarified his role with the project, saying he coordinates land options, utility agreements and project planning. He also says he works with economic development partners and public entities when it comes to potential end users.
According to Nordstrom, the ongoing Chapter 11 proceeding has involved a residential development in Hawaii, specifically a dispute involving a lending agreement. The case involving the Waikoloa Village mixed-use development was filed in May and has not yet been resolved. Pinkston, meanwhile, has filed a fraud suit against partners in the development.
Meanwhile, rezoning applications filed with Emporia’s Planning and Zoning Department on May 21 list Kanza Park Place LLC as the owner and applicant for of 8 tracts of land now set to be part of the data center if approved:
*600 Road 190, 155.78 acres. Zoned agricultural at time of application with proposed change to light industrial
*1842 Road F, 9.7 acres. Zoned agricultural with proposed change to light industrial
*4502 West 18th, 350.1 acres. Zoned agricultural and general commercial with proposed change to light industrial
*644 Road 180, 134.44 acres. Zoned agricultural with proposed change to light industrial
*1800 Road F, 9.7 acres. Zoned agricultural with proposed change to light industrial
*1771 Road G and 600 Road 175, 221.57 acres. Zoned general commercial and agricultural with proposed zoning change to light industrial
*626 West US Highway 50, 147 acres. Zoned Lyon County light industrial/flex with proposed change to light industrial
Pinkston’s signature is affixed on all the application documents as owner and applicant.
Emporia city commissioners are set to vote Wednesday on several zoning, water and wastewater policies connected to the Digital Campus.
KVOE News has reached out to Pinkston for an update.
KVOE Newsmaker segment June 19 with Pinkston’s comments
Rezoning applications from Emporia Planning and Zoning
