Southside data center could clear another hurdle this week

(MIRROR INDY) — A rezoning proposal to build a massive data center on the south side could move forward later this week.

On Aug. 20, Indianapolis’ Metropolitan Development Commission is expected to discuss rezoning roughly 468 acres of farmland near Post Road and Troy Avenue. That would allow developers to create facilities such as a data center, light manufacturing complex or research center.

Delaware-based Deep Meadow Ventures is the name behind the proposal, but it was recently reported that the project is backed by Google. Across the country, tech giants are rushing to purchase large plots of land that can be used to create data hubs — buildings packed with computers that can support the development of artificial intelligence.

Proponents of the data center say they’re excited about an increase in jobs, which could potentially boost the local economy. That’s in addition to Deep Meadow Ventures’ offer to build a trail or greenspace in Franklin Township, an area that has some of the fewest trail miles in Marion County.

The Metropolitan Development Commission, which oversees land redevelopment, was scheduled to review the data center plan last month. But the Department of Metropolitan Development said Deep Meadow Ventures requested to postpone the hearing to finalize the organization’s commitment to create a greenway. In an email to Mirror Indy, the city’s Department of Public Works said a plan for the proposed trail hasn’t been finalized.

The delay also allowed Deep Meadow Ventures to review a revised traffic study, which recommends installing turn lanes to mitigate traffic turning into the data center. These details are expected to be discussed during the upcoming hearing.

Community opposition grows

Deep Meadow Ventures also requested additional time, according to the Department of Metropolitan Development, to quell concerns from a community group that opposes the new tech development.

Some residents, however, say the developers have hardly moved the needle.

The Protect Franklin Township group has advocated against the data center due to fears of environmental contamination and health issues. There are also concerns that residents’ utility bills could jump if local energy supplier AES Indiana builds new infrastructure to support the data center. That could come in addition to rate increases AES proposed earlier this summer.

Andrew Filler, a leader of Protect Franklin Township, told Mirror Indy last week that Deep Meadow Ventures offered to plant additional trees. But, Filler said, that doesn’t address all of his concerns.

“They’re still trying to do 75-foot tall buildings everywhere,” Filler said. “They still haven’t even talked about energy usage in this. AES still doesn’t have enough power and they’re trying to talk about a rate hike increase.”

Meanwhile, participation in the group’s online petition has more than doubled since June 3. The petition now has over 5,400 signatures as of the morning of Aug. 18.

If the proposal is approved by the Metropolitan Development Commission, it would then be grouped with other land use proposals that are voted on by city-county councilors.

Indianapolis City-County Councilor Michael-Paul Hart, a Republican who represents the area, has spoken against the proposal and said he wants councilors to vote on it separately.

Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.

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.

This story was originally published by Mirror Indy on Aug. 18, 2025.

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