Faith leaders in Martindale Brightwood are making it clear they still don’t want a data center in the neighborhood. And they are demanding more communication with Mayor Joe Hogsett.
About a dozen clergy members gathered at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church May 28. The group said they have requested to meet with the mayor at least three times, most recently May 13. Despite the requests, they said Hogsett has declined to meet with them about their concerns around a data center planned for a vacant lot near 25th Street and Sherman Drive.
Instead, the faith leaders say they have been redirected to speak with other members of the mayor’s administration.
“Community voice matters and ultimately we do not want a data center in our community,” said Rev. Fitzhugh Lyons Jr., pastor of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church. “We respect the authority of the governing body, however, approval does not erase the concerns of the people who live here.”
The site where Metrobloks, a California-based company, wants to build the data center is near homes, the neighborhood library and one of the area’s only grocery stores. The site is also a brownfield, meaning the land could be contaminated. Residents have largely opposed the data center, and many have voiced concerns about the potential environmental impact and rising utility costs.
The neighborhood’s faith leaders said they are not against development of the site. But instead of the data center, they would like to see development that would benefit the community with resources or job opportunities.
Metrobloks has pledged to give $2.5 million back to the neighborhood for affordable housing and infrastructure improvements. Company officials said that amount could grow to as much as $20 million, depending on the tax abatements the company receives. But the clergy members say that amount is still not enough to significantly benefit the community.
Lyons said Hogsett congratulated the church on 100 years of ministry and community service this year. But he said the mayor’s refusal to meet with local faith leaders about their concerns is unacceptable.
“How can there be recognition for a century of service, but no willingness to sit down and discuss critical issues?” Lyons said.
Opponents seek judicial review
Earlier this month, several community members and the Hoosier Environmental Council filed a petition for judicial review of the Metropolitan Development Commission’s approval of the project.
When asked about the clergy’s meeting requests and if Hogsett plans to meet with the group in the future, a city spokesperson emailed Mirror Indy a statement.
“On the advice of counsel, it is not appropriate for the City to discuss this proposed development while litigation is pending,” Emily Kaufmann, a spokesperson for the mayor’s office, said in the statement. “Opportunities for public comment exist for any proposed development or incentives package and we welcome the feedback of community members and advocacy groups.”
Still, faith leaders say they want more transparency from Hogsett.
“The people of Martindale Brightwood deserve answers that are not skewed, ambiguous or lost in translation because they’re being conveyed by someone who did not make the ultimate decision,” said Rev. R.E. Robinson, pastor of St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church.
Several members of the group spoke about the support Martindale Brightwood residents gave the mayor during his last re-election campaign in 2023.
Rev. Jarrod Hubbard, a pastor at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, said Hogsett would often come to community barbecues and even dance with residents.
“But when we call you to stand with our community, to stand with our neighbors, we don’t get a call back on the phone,” Hubbard said. “You walked out on us. You left us to fend for ourselves.”
Despite the lack of communication from Hogsett, the faith leaders say they will continue to fight the data center.
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.
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.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
