Southsiders may avoid living next to Google as more Democratic councilors have joined Republicans to announce their opposition.
As of this week, 16 of Indy’s 25-member City-County Council have now said they won’t support the proposed data center development — surpassing the number needed to kill the proposal.
The latest councilors to oppose the development include council Vice President Ali Brown, Nick Roberts and Jessica McCormick. All are Democrats. All six Republicans have also publicly opposed the project.
“Indianapolis deserves projects that deliver broad community benefits creating good-paying jobs, advancing our climate commitments and strengthening neighborhoods,” Brown and Roberts wrote on Wednesday, Sept. 3, in a joint statement on social media. “At this time, the proposed data center does not meet those standards.”
Google, under the guise of a company called Deep Meadow Ventures, has worked to rezone nearly 468 acres of farmland in Franklin Township at 3043 S. Post Road. The reclassification would allow the company to invest an estimated $1 billion in a data center for artificial intelligence advancements, while receiving millions in local and state tax cuts.
Representatives for Google could not immediately be reached for comment about the councilors’ opposition to the project.
Discussions about the project have become heated over the past few weeks due to residents’ concerns about potential environmental contamination and increased health issues. That’s in addition to complaints about providing tax cuts to the tech giant, and fears that utility bills could skyrocket in order to offset the cost of power generated for the proposed facilities.
At the next City-County Council meeting on Monday, Sept. 8, 13 votes are needed to initiate more public discussions about the rezoning proposal.
The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the City-County Building, 200 E. Washington St.
Then, a public hearing would take place on Monday, Sept. 22, where 15 council votes would be needed to kill the proposal.
‘Nothing’s dead until the votes are cast’
Although there are more than enough councilors to kill the proposal, a lot can happen between now and the end of the month.
Councilor Michael-Paul Hart, a Republican who represents the area where the data center would be, believes the Franklin Township property would be better suited for a developer that can provide more jobs and fewer tax exemptions.
He said the public announcements from other councilors make him optimistic, but he doesn’t want to declare victory yet.
“Nothing’s dead until the votes are cast,” Hart told Mirror Indy.
Hart encouraged community members to continue attending City-County Council meetings and show their opposition to the development.
“We just got to hold the line and stay strong,” Hart said, “and don’t let Google or the mayor’s office provide any influence over councilors. And then we should be safe.”
Upcoming meetings
City-County Council meeting
Councilors will vote on whether to hold more public discussions about the rezoning proposal.
🗓️ 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8
📍 City-County Building, 200 E Washington St.
Public hearing
Representatives from Google and Protect Franklin Township will present about the proposed data center, then councilors will vote.
🗓️ 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22
📍 City-County Building, 200 E Washington St.
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Mirror Indy reporter Elizabeth Gabriel covers the south side of Marion County. Contact her at elizabeth.gabriel@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on Facebook at Elizabeth Gabriel, Southside Reporter and on X at @_elizabethgabs.
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