Digital Realty Trust Inc. (NYSE:DLR) purchased a $120 million parcel of a former military dump in Georgia to build a $3 billion data center, where construction crews unearthed combustible white phosphorus that produced “dense white smoke,” according to a Hunterbrook Media investigation.
Munitions Discovery and ‘Dense White Smoke’
Work in the area was immediately halted after construction crews encountered white phosphorus that "reacted when exposed to air and exhibited a dense white smoke," according to a letter sent to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division on behalf of Digital Realty.
The hazardous discovery prompted the company to contact local police, who deployed a bomb squad to inspect the 97-acre site at the former Fort Gillem Army base, the letter states.
Professionals subsequently excavated five 30-gallon steel drums containing material with white phosphorus, a Digital Realty spokesperson told Hunterbrook.
Benzinga reached out to Digital Realty for comment on the report but did not immediately receive a response.
‘Tons and Tons’ of Hazards
From 1941 until around 1980, the Army used the parcel as an "indiscriminate burial" site for waste ranging from solvents to munitions, according to the Hunterbrook report.
During a 2025 meeting with county officials, a Digital Realty asset manager acknowledged the severe condition of the land, stating, "There’s quite a bit of environmental issues with the site … Tons and tons and tons of — physical tons — of trash and environmental hazards."
Mitigation and ‘Encapsulated’ Waste
Despite the hazards, the Digital Realty spokesperson stated the five drums of explosives were “far less than could have been encountered across the full area.”
According to the environmental consultant’s letter, the area where the munitions were found will sit directly beneath the planned data center and “will be encapsulated with a concrete building foundation.” The company’s project website notes it expects to invest more than $100 million in site remediation.
Blasting Impacts
Nearby residents have reported property damage from ongoing rock blasting at the construction site. Resident Pamela Felder told Hunterbrook that the explosive blasting caused numerous cracks inside and outside her home.
In response, a Digital Realty spokesperson told Hunterbrook that after evaluating the complaints, “it was determined that the damage claims were not the result of site activities.”
How Has DLR Performed in 2026?
DLR stock is up 1.16% over the last year and 13.74% year-to-date. However, it has declined 2.82% over the last month. The stock closed up 0.86% at $175.97 on Friday.
Benzinga’s Edge Stock Rankings indicate that DLR maintains a weak price trend in the short, long, and medium terms, with a moderate growth score.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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