May 13, 2026 | Posted by Abdul-Rahman Oladimeji
Developer Western Hospitality Partners (WHP) has officially withdrawn its proposal to develop a data center in Pekin, Illinois, roughly two months after Mayor Mary Burress announced publicly that the city would not proceed with the project. “This letter shall serve as purchaser’s notice to terminate the agreement,” stated a letter sent to City of Pekin officials on May 5.
This means WHP will no longer pursue the purchase of a 321-acre parcel within the Lutticken Property — a 1,000-acre mixed-use development planned for residential, commercial, and technology-oriented projects between Highway 98 and Sheridan Road — for the construction of a data center. Because the land sale required city approval, Mayor Burress’s statement in March effectively amounted to a rejection of the proposal.
“I have made the difficult decision that the city of Pekin will not move forward with this project at this time," the Mayor said. "When a project creates this level of uncertainty and division, it is important for us to step back and consider whether moving forward is truly the right path.”
“We are no longer under contract with WHP or any affiliate. The contract has been terminated on their own volition. It’s a clean break. This contract is over. It’s terminated. It’s done. It’s a stake in the heart. Let’s use that analogy,” said city attorney Jim Vasselli to the Pekin City Council on Monday, according to a report by WBCU.
