City: Atlanta
State:  Georgia
Site Work Subcontractor: Reeves Young
General Contractor: Brasfield & Gorrie

Permanent Excavation Support Services Support New DataBank Data Center Campus

In 2024, DataBank, a leading data center solutions provider, started the development of its new state-of-the-art South Fulton Campus. This development includes several data center facilities and a 180MW on-site substation to power and cool the campus. The first phase of this campus buildout is the construction of ATL 5, the on-site substation.

Schnabel’s Role

Schnabel was brought onto the project in September 2024 by Reeves Young, a site work subcontractor to the general contractor Brasfield & Gorrie, to provide permanent excavation support services. The site assigned for the substation presented a unique challenge—it was situated on a slope.

To create a flat and stable platform for construction, Schnabel was tasked with cutting into the slope to install the site wall. While the fill was used to build up the opposite side. The work involved the installation of:

• Over 300 permanent soil nails.
• A permanent shotcrete bump wall covering over 9,000 square feet.

Challenges

During the excavation process, Schnabel encountered unexpected conditions:

• Large boulders beneath the surface.
• Voids discovered behind the shotcrete wall.

These findings required the use of additional shotcrete and a thicker wall design than originally anticipated. Despite these challenges, Schnabel responded quickly with adjustments that allowed the team to maintain momentum and avoid any schedule delays.

CONCLUSION

Schnabel successfully completed their scope of work in November 2024—one week ahead of schedule. This early completion was valuable to the client due to the high level of activity on-site, with multiple subcontractors working concurrently. Finishing early allowed other contractors to begin their work sooner, supporting the broader project schedule.

Schnabel’s excavation support services contributed to the successful early phase of DataBank’s South Fulton Campus development. This overall project is expected to bring significant benefits to the Atlanta area, including:

• Economic growth.
• New employment opportunities.
• Strengthening Atlanta’s status as a major data center hub.