OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Metropolitan Development Commission Pre-Meeting – July 15, 2026

Metropolitan Development Commission — Wednesday, July 15, 2026
BodyIndianapolis, Indiana
SessionMetropolitan Development Commission
DateWednesday, July 15, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 46:13

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

Madam Director, it's 12 o'clock.

0:03

Why don't we get started?

0:05

Thank you, President Dillon, members of the Commission.

0:09

Welcome to the Metropolitan Development Commission pre-meeting for July 15th, 2026.

0:16

We're going to go ahead and read through the resolutions.

0:19

Starting with 2026 R021.

0:23

This authorizes the Department of Metropolitan Development to use locally available funds and an amount not to exceed $15,000 to demolish a structure located at 2638 and 2640 East 10th Street to facilitate investigation and removal of underground storage tanks.

0:43

2026 A014.

0:45

This is the preliminary economic revitalization area resolution for Metro Blocks LLC located at 2505 North Sherman Drive, Council District No.

0:56

8, Center Township.

0:58

Indianapolis Economic Development Incorporated is recommending approval of 10 years real property tax abatement.

1:04

2026 A015.

1:07

This is the preliminary economic revitalization area resolution for MetroBlocks LLC.

1:13

Located at 2505 North Sherman Drive.

1:27

That the Department of Metropolitan Development does not support approval of these resolutions.

1:32

On Monday, the Metropolitan and Economic Development Committee, which is a subcommittee of the full council, voted to recommend that a moratorium be placed on new data center developments.

1:42

While Metro Blocks has already obtained their zoning approval and would not be subject to the moratorium, offering economic incentives at this time is not appropriate.

1:51

It is vital that we do not rush these decisions and take our time to have all community benefits clearly outlined and documented to ensure that we are getting the best outcome for the residents of Indianapolis.

2:02

I would highly recommend that IDI withdraw their requests at this time and that the Commission not move this forward.

2:08

Moving on to 2021.

2:10

Oh, who's signed that?

2:12

Department of Metropolitan Development.

2:14

The Department of Metropolitan Development.

2:18

Your department.

2:20

Correct.

2:21

Not the council.

2:22

I'm sorry, can you re restate the question?

2:25

I don't understand who provided that statement.

2:28

The Department of Metropolitan Development.

2:30

Your department.

2:31

Yes, myself.

2:33

Okay.

2:35

But that was not the intent of the City Council.

2:40

Moratorium.

2:44

Discussion.

2:45

Correct.

2:45

That moratorium was applied to the zoning.

2:47

And that was for new data center developments.

2:50

And that's for new data centers.

2:53

Correct.

2:54

Not things that are in the queue.

2:56

Correct.

2:56

So Metroblocks have already received their zoning approval, so the moratorium does not impact them.

3:00

However, my statement still stands.

3:03

I think it is I think that this these resolutions should be withdrawn to give us more time to make sure that we're solidifying those community benefits.

3:15

Okay.

3:17

2026 A019.

3:19

This is for a public hearing.

3:20

This is a resolution authorizing an amendment to the 2023 real property tax abatement.

3:25

Approved by resolution 2023 A026 at Alpha Lovell, U.S.

3:31

Group Services Real Estate LLC 5820 Meritage Parkway Council District Number 25, Franklin Township.

3:40

2026 A033.

3:42

Also for a public hearing.

3:44

This is the final economic revitalization area resolution for C C B C C Operations LLC.

3:51

Located at 5000 West 25th Street, Council District Number 11, Wayne Township, recommending approval of four years personal property tax abatement.

4:01

Item 6, 2026 A034.

4:04

This is for a public hearing.

4:06

However, staff is going to be requesting a continuance to the August 5th meeting.

4:14

And so in re-notized, I want to make that point as well.

4:17

We need to renotice because there was an error.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development█████████████████████████████████████████████56%
Procedural███████████████████████29%
Community Engagement██████8%
Technology and Innovation███4%
Fiscal Sustainability██3%
Summary of Proceedings

Metropolitan Development Commission Pre-Meeting – July 15, 2026

The Metropolitan Development Commission held a pre-meeting on July 15, 2026, to consider several resolutions, public hearings, and a pre-meeting presentation on a major data center development. Staff and elected officials discussed economic incentives, community benefits, and procedural timelines.

Resolutions and Introductions

  • 2026 R021 – Authorized up to $15,000 for demolition at 2638 and 2640 East 10th Street to facilitate underground storage tank investigation and removal. No further discussion.
  • 2026 A014 and A015 – Preliminary economic revitalization area resolutions for Metro Blocks LLC (data center) at 2505 North Sherman Drive. The Department of Metropolitan Development (DMD) recommended against approval, stating that offering economic incentives at this time is not appropriate and that more time is needed to document community benefits. The Indianapolis Economic Development Incorporated (IDI) supported moving forward. The commission clarified that today's vote is only for introduction to a public hearing, not final approval. After debate, the presentation proceeded and the item will be set for a public hearing.
  • 2026 A019 – Amendment to 2023 tax abatement for Alpha Lovell U.S. Group Services Real Estate LLC.
  • 2026 A033 – Final ERA resolution for CCBC C Operations LLC, recommending 4-year personal property abatement.
  • 2026 A034 – Final ERA resolution for ZEMA International Inc. (7-year personal property abatement) – Staff requested a continuance to August 5, 2026 due to noticing error. Commissioner requested and was granted the continuance.

Special Requests

  • Item 16 (2026 C VR 815 / CPL 815) – DC Blocks, 305 FinTeil Drive – A one-month continuance was requested by Counselor Nielsen, with staff recommending approval with commitments. A letter from Counselor Hart objecting was submitted. The item will be continued.

Public Hearings

  • Item 16 (DC Blocks) – Scheduled for public hearing but continued.
  • 2026 ZON 057 – Transferred directly from the hearing examiner due to federal funding timelines. Staff recommended approval, and no remonstrance was recorded. This public hearing will proceed.

Petitions of No Appeal

  • Nine petitions were recommended for approval with no remonstrance. Item 15 had commitments ready for signing. The commission approved all nine.

Pre-Meeting Presentation – Metro Blocks Data Center

IDI and Metro Blocks presented a detailed proposal:

  • Investment: $250 million in real property, $406 million in owner personal property, and an estimated $7.2 billion in tenant personal property (IT equipment) over 15 years.
  • Abatements: 10-year real property at 60% flat deduction; 15-year enhanced personal property at 90% flat deduction (up to 20 years allowed). A checkpoint at year 10 for review of technology and compliance.
  • Community Benefits: $22.5 million in inclusivity funding (5% of tax savings) directed to the Brightwood neighborhood, with an additional $10 million possible at year 10. Administration to be determined by a trusted partner, not IDI or the company.
  • Jobs: 35 permanent jobs at 125% of Marion County wage (over $46/hour). Commitment to a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) with 50% local hire goal during construction. Construction period 3–4 years with an estimated 300–500 jobs.
  • Environmental: Closed-loop water system (minimal water consumption), noise mitigation, landscaping screening, and equipment testing limited to 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Site is a 15-acre former industrial property.
  • Rationale: The incentives are critical to attract tenants; without them, the project would likely not proceed. The company noted that similar abatements are available outside Marion County.

Commissioners asked for a copy of the presentation ahead of the public hearing and requested a 10-year focus for financial projections.

Key Outcomes

  • Metro Blocks resolutions (2026 A014/A015) will proceed to a public hearing; no vote on the merits today.
  • Continuance granted for 2026 A034 to August 5, 2026.
  • Continuance expected for Item 16 (DC Blocks) to August 5, 2026.
  • All petitions of no appeal approved.
  • 2026 ZON 057 public hearing to proceed as scheduled.
  • Commission directed Metro Blocks to provide presentation materials in advance of the public hearing.

Meeting Transcript

Madam Director, it's 12 o'clock. Why don't we get started? Thank you, President Dillon, members of the Commission. Welcome to the Metropolitan Development Commission pre-meeting for July 15th, 2026. We're going to go ahead and read through the resolutions. Starting with 2026 R021. This authorizes the Department of Metropolitan Development to use locally available funds and an amount not to exceed $15,000 to demolish a structure located at 2638 and 2640 East 10th Street to facilitate investigation and removal of underground storage tanks. 2026 A014. This is the preliminary economic revitalization area resolution for Metro Blocks LLC located at 2505 North Sherman Drive, Council District No. 8, Center Township. Indianapolis Economic Development Incorporated is recommending approval of 10 years real property tax abatement. 2026 A015. This is the preliminary economic revitalization area resolution for MetroBlocks LLC. Located at 2505 North Sherman Drive. That the Department of Metropolitan Development does not support approval of these resolutions. On Monday, the Metropolitan and Economic Development Committee, which is a subcommittee of the full council, voted to recommend that a moratorium be placed on new data center developments. While Metro Blocks has already obtained their zoning approval and would not be subject to the moratorium, offering economic incentives at this time is not appropriate. It is vital that we do not rush these decisions and take our time to have all community benefits clearly outlined and documented to ensure that we are getting the best outcome for the residents of Indianapolis. I would highly recommend that IDI withdraw their requests at this time and that the Commission not move this forward. Moving on to 2021. Oh, who's signed that? Department of Metropolitan Development. The Department of Metropolitan Development. Your department. Correct. Not the council. I'm sorry, can you re restate the question? I don't understand who provided that statement. The Department of Metropolitan Development. Your department. Yes, myself. Okay. But that was not the intent of the City Council. Moratorium. Discussion. Correct. That moratorium was applied to the zoning. And that was for new data center developments. And that's for new data centers. Correct. Not things that are in the queue. Correct. So Metroblocks have already received their zoning approval, so the moratorium does not impact them. However, my statement still stands. I think it is I think that this these resolutions should be withdrawn to give us more time to make sure that we're solidifying those community benefits. Okay. 2026 A019. This is for a public hearing. This is a resolution authorizing an amendment to the 2023 real property tax abatement. Approved by resolution 2023 A026 at Alpha Lovell, U.S.

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