The eastside could see nearly $15 million in community investments if tax incentives for a data center are approved.
Georgia-based developer DC Blox plans to build a data center campus at the Thunderbird Commerce Center, an industrial park that was once home to a Ford plant. The property is on a brownfield located near South Kitley Avenue and the Pennsy Trail.
Indy Economic Development Inc. — a nonprofit that acts as the city’s economic development organization — has crafted a tax abatement proposal for DC Blox. That proposal will be introduced at the Nov. 2 City-County Council meeting.
While the proposed incentives are not yet publicly available, representatives for DC Blox shared in a news release that the plan includes nearly $15 million in a community inclusion plan payment. The city requires companies that receive abatements to give at least 5% of its savings back to the community.
The release said the money would go toward infrastructure, parks, public art, education, public safety and other other community projects. Specific projects were not identified, but DC Blox representatives said those will be shaped by community feedback.
At an Oct. 30 news conference outside of the City-County Building, Councilor Michael-Paul Hart shared his support of the project and the proposed tax incentives.
“We’re consistently seeing things leave the east side, but we’re not seeing that new investment,” the Republican said. “And what we have today is an opportunity to bring some of those investments back to the east side.”
Hart’s district includes the property where DC Blox plans to build the data center campus. His district also includes Washington Square Mall, where Hart has been pushing for redevelopment.
Hart first launched a predevelopment site study on the mall property in February that was led by Schmidt Associates, an Indianapolis architecture firm, and privately funded by real estate group Lauth Group. A concept plan based on feedback from the study was presented to community members in August. That plan shows Washington Square repurposed as a mixed-use property with retail, dining and space for workforce development, as well as greenspace, a sports complex and housing.
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Hart said he hopes some of that community impact money from the DC Blox tax package — $5.7 million — can be used for the future redevelopment. He said the money would be set aside and managed by the MDC for a future developer to borrow from for redevelopment.
A developer has yet to purchase Washington Square and the mall remains open.
Hart said about $2.5 million of the $15 million community payment could also go toward a workforce training program.
Indy Economic Development will go over the incentive package and community payments at a virtual meeting 3:30-4:30 p.m. Nov. 4. Registration is required and can be completed online. IEDI said the meeting will be recorded and shared after the event.
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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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