Irvington data center poses health concerns for school community — and could also impact enrollment
A lawsuit has been filed by Irvington Community Elementary School and local residents to stop a proposed $2 billion DC BLOX data center in Indianapolis, citing concerns over noise pollution, potential contamination from the brownfield site, and impact on student health and school enrollment. The project received approval just before the city enacted a moratorium on new data center applications.
A legal battle is underway in Indianapolis as Irvington Community Elementary School and local residents have filed a lawsuit to halt the development of a proposed $2 billion DC BLOX data center. The facility, which is planned for a former Ford Motor Company manufacturing plant site just hundreds of feet from the school, has raised significant health and safety concerns.
The community and school leaders are particularly worried about potential noise from the data center's 31 generators and the risk of construction disturbing contaminants on the brownfield property. Documents filed with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) indicate the site contains residual hazardous substances from its past industrial use. School CEO Rachel Maldonado expressed concerns about the lack of research on data center proximity to schools, especially regarding potential impacts on students with conditions like asthma, and the possibility of contaminants entering the school's ventilation system.
The proposed two-building data center project received approval from the Metropolitan Development Commission shortly before Indianapolis implemented a moratorium on new data center applications through 2027. This moratorium was enacted to allow the city to craft new zoning regulations for such facilities, leaving the DC BLOX site as one of only three approved to proceed. DC BLOX has made commitments, including generator testing schedules and a vapor mitigation system, but these have not alleviated community fears.
The school network, which is already facing a $2.85 million deficit due to declining enrollment, fears the data center could further deter families. Principal Katie Welch noted that parents and staff have questions about the project's impact on learning and student health. Community members are now fundraising to support the legal challenge, underscoring the ongoing opposition to the development.