About Al Cohen, BSChE, MS, MBA, LLM
Al Cohen is a results-driven executive specializing in powered land development, M&A, and corporate development for the digital infrastructure sector. As the founder of DataCenterix (www.datacenterlandsites.com), he bridges the gap between commercial real estate and technology—what he calls "the nexus of the two".
With a career spanning multiple disciplines, Al brings a rare combination of qualifications to the data center site selection process. He holds an MBA and is a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) Candidate, alongside active licenses as a Texas Real Estate Broker and Texas Mortgage Broker. His technical credentials and studies include SEC Series 7, 24, 66, and 27 certifications, as well as specialized training in HUET (Helicopter Underwater Escape Training) and Advanced Nevada Water Rights and Survey—demonstrating his depth in the physical and regulatory environments where data centers are built.
Al is a recognized authority on the full power chain of data center development. He developed Cohen's 10 "P"s of AI-Powered Land, a comprehensive framework covering the critical factors that determine project success: Plug (substation availability and energization timelines), Power (scalable MW capacity), Pad (geotechnically sound sites), Permit (by-right zoning and fast approvals), Path (fiber, logistics, and heavy haul access), Price (cost per acre and per MW), Policy (incentives and pro-development jurisdiction), Protection (security, flood, and grid resilience), Proximity (talent, metros, and infrastructure), and Peace (tenant engagement and community relations).
His expertise lies in identifying the critical distinction between "shovel-ready" and "load-ready"—a gap where project value is often mispriced. Al emphasizes that substation, transmission, and interconnection timelines (which can take 3 to 7 years for new infrastructure) are the hidden killers of data center projects. He advises developers that "cheap land with expensive or unreliable power is a trap", and that "a site with live power and room to ramp is worth multiples of a greenfield site".
Al has successfully guided data center transactions across financial, healthcare, telecom, and professional services sectors, delivering material cost reductions of ~40% on build-to-suit developments, ~20% on portfolio renewals, and record-low $/kW pricing on colocation relocations. His strategic acquisitions include thorough due diligence on land entitlement, zoning regulations, and power infrastructure constraints.
Beyond his professional work, Al serves as NYU-Houston Alumni Co-President and advises the German American Chamber of Commerce on petrochemical industry matters. He is an active member of the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) , the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) , and the Society of Underwater Technologies (SUT) —reflecting the broad infrastructure expertise he brings to every site selection project.
As Al puts it: "Data centers are the new industrial real estate—and the window is open right now. The same pattern that made industrial warehouses one of the top-performing asset classes is emerging with data center land". With AI compute demand growing exponentially and power infrastructure constraints creating scarcity, Al Cohen is uniquely positioned to help developers and landowners navigate this new frontier.
Insights from the heart of data centre innovation
Welcome to The DC Blog, where we share our journey and involvement in securing prime land for data centres and AI-ready infrastructure. Discover our perspectives on the evolving landscape of digital growth.
Al Cohen's recommendation for DataCenterix Clients:
Data Center Site Selection Requirements
Before evaluating any site for Tier 3 certification or higher, the following baseline criteria from TIA-924-A-2012 must be met. These are non-negotiable requirements for risk mitigation and operational reliability.
Basic Location Requirements (TIA-924-A-2012)
· External equipment security – Any cooling equipment, generators, fuel tanks, or provider access gear located outside customer space must be adequately secured. In the Midwest, this includes withstanding a 120 MPH wind load.
· 24/7 owner access – The data center owner requires round-the-clock access to external equipment areas. Sites within 0.5 mile of a major sporting venue are automatically disqualified (event-related road closures make this impossible).
· Parking garages – The computer room must not be placed in close proximity to a parking garage.
· Natural disaster zones – Avoid 100-year flood plains, areas near earthquake faults, hillsides with slide risk, and locations downstream from dams or water towers.
· Airport flight paths – The site must not lie under any airport flight path.
· Railroads & interstate highways – No closer than 0.5 mile (0.8 km) to reduce risk from chemical spills.
· Hazardous or sensitive zones – No closer than 0.25 mile (0.4 km) to research labs, chemical plants, landfills, rivers, coastlines, or dams.
· Major airports – No closer than 5 miles (8.0 km).
· Military bases – No closer than 0.5 mile (0.8 km) (includes National Guard armories and reserve unit headquarters).
· Nuclear, munitions, or defense plants – No closer than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Additional Site Selection Considerations
Power Grid
· Confirm that the local utility grid has adequate capacity and overhead. (Example: parts of the Midwest benefit from the “Rust Belt effect,” where power distribution systems operate well below maximum capacity.)
· Grids near major downtown areas tend to have older, less reliable infrastructure.
Building Perimeter & Buffer Zone
· Is there a buffer zone between the data center building and the property line?
· Does the building directly border a street or sidewalk? (If yes, increased security risk.)
· Is the site within 0.5 mile of a likely terrorist target (e.g., major sports venue)? If so, avoid.
Structural Standards
· Does the structure meet IBC Construction Type 1B?
· Are exterior walls and roof rated for 120 MPH wind loads?
These requirements form the foundation of a resilient, secure, and operationally sound data center location. Please ensure any potential site is screened against this checklist before proceeding to Tier-level planning.
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