Eastside data center developer faces questions about project

Representatives from DC BLOX, a Georgia-based company, are facing heavy opposition from Indianapolis residents regarding their proposal to construct a $2 billion data center campus on the city's east side. During an April 27 forum at Downey Avenue Christian Church in Irvington, David Armistead, senior vice president of sales at DC BLOX, acknowledged the challenge of gaining community support, stating the company's commitment to transparency and community engagement. The proposed data center campus involves building three facilities at the Thunderbird Commerce Center, a 150-acre industrial park located at the intersection of South Kitley Avenue and the Pennsy trail. DC BLOX has submitted a request for a variance to the city's Metropolitan Development Commission, which is scheduled to consider the petition on June 11 at the City-County Building. Despite the company's efforts to address concerns, some residents, like musician Charles Platz, expressed skepticism regarding DC BLOX's transparency. The forum, organized by City-County Councilor Andy Nielsen, whose district borders the proposed site, and Councilor Michael-Paul Hart's district, saw a largely civil but questioning discourse. Armistead also sought to differentiate DC BLOX's project from larger hyperscale data centers, emphasizing its suitability for the Brownfield site and the essential role of data in modern life.