Metrobloks’ $500 Million Data Center Approved for Indy Neighborhood

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Commission has voted to approve Metrobloks' proposed $500 million data center project in Indianapolis's Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood. The Los Angeles-based developer plans to build the facility on Sherman Drive near 25th Street. Despite the commission's approval, the project faces strong opposition from local residents and community groups. Cierra Johnson of One Voice Martindale Brightwood stated that residents would "continue to fight this thing" and are open to re-working the project to suit the neighborhood's needs. The organization Protect Martindale Brightwood is also considering legal action to challenge the commission’s decision. Metrobloks attorney Tyler Ochs described the facility as a "low-impact" and "multi-tenanted" data center, emphasizing its minimal water use and closed-loop cooling system to address environmental concerns. The company has not announced a start date for construction but expressed a desire to continue working with the community. This approval follows another recent data center development in the area, with Seattle-based Sabey Data Centers having secured approval last month for a $4 billion data center project on the city's far southwest side.