Martindale-Brightwood residents push back against tax breaks for approved data center
Residents of Indianapolis' Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood strongly opposed Metrobloks' planned data center during an informational meeting. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Commission is expected to consider proposed tax abatements for the project on Oct. 21.
Metrobloks, a California-based data center developer, plans to build a facility on a vacant lot at 25th Street and Sherman Drive East in Indianapolis' Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood. The company says the project would create jobs, redevelop an underused property and generate tax revenue, including a reported $22.5 million community commitment.
Residents, backed by state Sen. La Keisha Jackson, argued that the project is being advanced without meaningful community input and raised concerns about unwanted development and potential environmental impacts. An informational meeting hosted by Indy Economic Development became a forum for opposition, with the next major step being an Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Commission meeting to consider the project's proposed tax abatements.