INDIANAPOLIS — The Metropolitan Development Commission approved the proposed Metrobloks data center on Wednesday, April 1. The facility will be built on nearly 14 acres at 2505 N. Sherman Dr, the site of a former drive-in theater near the Massachusetts Avenue rail corridor. The land has sat largely unused between the residential streets of Martindale-Brightwood and the railroad tracks that cut through the neighborhood’s eastern edge.
Metrobloks plans to build two large buildings, along with a parking lot, backup generators and cooling systems. Metroblocks officials stated that the project would expand the local tax base and bring an estimated $500 million to the neighborhood. The company will pay all infrastructure improvements and utility costs.
Many residents opposed the project, citing concerns about water and electricity usage, and the lack of zoning designations for data centers. This may continue to be a concern as more data centers are built to keep up with AI development demand.
Another data center project on the east side is possible, as DC Blox has plans underway for a three-building project at 6900 English Ave. Potentially located in the 185 acre industrial park Thunderbird Commerce Center, the data center would share space with Monarch Beverage, ABF Freight, and Dandy, a dental technology company. The project is still in the evaluation and planning phase. If it is approved, the first phase of construction will begin, and likely completed within 2 years.