Indianapolis City-County Councilor Ron Gibson has submitted a letter to the Metropolitan Development Commission in “strong support” of a rezoning request for a data center in his district, despite public criticism of the proposal from his constituents.
Los Angeles-based company Metrobloks wants to build a data center in Martindale Brightwood at the nearly 14-acre site of the former Sherman Drive-In. The property at 25th Street and Sherman Drive has sat vacant since the theater closed in the 1980s.
Residents opposed to the development cite concerns over rising utility costs, increases in property taxes and a lack of benefit to the community. In his letter, Gibson said the development would benefit the neighborhood. He said short term jobs would be created as the facility is constructed and long term jobs adjacent jobs, such as landscaping and building maintenance, would be created once operational.
Gibson also wrote that his constituents’ concerns come from confusion about the Metroblocks data center and other data centers. He said the proposed facility is smaller, would not compete with residential water needs and would install sound barriers to mitigate noise. He went on to urge the hearing examiner and commission to approve the requests.
Gibson was one of two people to submit letters of support for the project. Several dozen people submitted letters against the project, including state Sen. La Keisha Jackson and state Rep. Greg Porter.
The proposal will be heard by the Metropolitan Development Commission hearing examiner at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15. The developer is also seeking several zoning variances, including one to build a 70-foot-tall building. It would be an exception to zoning standards, which allow a maximum building height of 38 feet.
If the hearing examiner approves the requests, the petition will move to the full Metropolitan Development Commission for a vote.
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Mirror Indy reporter Darian Benson covers east Indianapolis. Contact her at 317-397-7262 or darian.benson@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X @HelloImDarian or on Bluesky @darianbenson.bsky.social.
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