Irvington data center update
DC BLOX's Thunderbird data center project in Irvington, Indianapolis, faced a brief stop-work order and is now subject to a legal challenge from community group Eastside Community Action (ECA). The ECA has filed a petition for judicial review of the Metropolitan Development Commission's approval of a variance of use for the site. Local councilors support the project, citing potential economic benefits through tax abatements, while community members express frustration over perceived lack of communication from DC BLOX.
Construction for DC BLOX's Thunderbird data center in Irvington, Indianapolis, was briefly halted on September 11-12 due to a stop-work order, which was later retracted after an inspection confirmed work could continue under an existing drainage permit. This incident has intensified community concerns and frustrations among residents, particularly regarding the presence of private security and local police, and a perceived lack of communication from the developer.
Megan Lapa, a member of the Eastside Community Action (ECA) group, which has organized against the project since July, criticized DC BLOX for only providing information beyond what is legally required and for not addressing community concerns. The ECA has formally challenged the project's approval by filing a petition for judicial review of the variance of use granted by the Metropolitan Development Commission, arguing that the request did not meet the requirements for a site zoned Industrial 3. The group aims to ensure community input on the land's future use.
City-County Councilor Michael-Paul Hart, representing District 20 where the data center is located, supports the project. Hart highlighted the site's existing power infrastructure and its industrial surroundings, noting its history as a brownfield and manufacturing area. He emphasized the economic benefits, including significant tax revenue from the equipment within the data center, even with tax abatements. Hart also referenced a previous instance where Google withdrew a data center rezoning request in District 20 due to community opposition. While tax abatements for the DC BLOX site are not yet scheduled, similar abatements were recently approved for Sabey's Decatur Township data center, and a vote is pending for the Metrobloks site.