DC BLOX Thunderbird data center campus (east Indianapolis)
Also called: DC BLOX Indianapolis
DC BLOX plans a data center campus on a former Ford plant site on the east side near Irvington. After opposition, it cut the plan to two buildings (70,000 and 250,000 sq ft). The earlier plan listed up to 78 megawatts and 56 backup diesel generators; the smaller plan has 25 fewer generators. The city approved it in July 2026.
Where things stand: The city development commission approved a scaled-back plan 6-1 on July 15, 2026.
🕒 Latest update (Aug 19, 2026): Indianapolis passed a data center pause through 2027. This project is exempt because it was already approved.
What we know
- 📍 Where305 Fintail Drive, Thunderbird Commerce Center (old Ford plant site), near South Kitley Avenue and the Pennsy Trail, Warren Township, Marion County
- 🏢 CompanyDC BLOX
- ⚡ Power it needs78 megawatts (about as much as 62,400 homes)
- 🔌 Where the power comes fromDC BLOX says it will pay for power upgrades.
- ❄️ CoolingClosed-loop cooling
- 🛢️ Diesel generators31
- 💵 Cost$2 billion
- 👷 Jobs promised35
❓ Still unanswered
Nobody has answered these in public yet. Can you help find out?
- How many megawatts will the smaller two-building plan use? 🙋 I'll find out
- Will neighbors appeal the approval in court? 🙋 I'll find out
- Were tax breaks requested? 🙋 I'll find out
What happened so far
- June 11, 2026A city hearing examiner recommended approval of a use variance for the original three-building plan.
- July 15, 2026The Metropolitan Development Commission approved a smaller two-building plan, 6-1.
- Aug 19, 2026Indianapolis passed a data center pause through 2027. This project is exempt because it was already approved.
Local votes and rules
⏸️ Pause on new data centers
No new data centers can be approved in Marion County (Indianapolis) through December 31, 2027. The City-County Council voted 23-1 on August 10 and the Metropolitan Development Commission voted 6-0 on August 19. Three projects already approved are not affected.
✅ Approved
The Metropolitan Development Commission voted 6-1 to approve a use variance for the DC Blox data center campus on the east side, the last local approval it needed. Opponents said they would go to court.
An aerial photo of the area.
Where this comes from
- DC Blox data center near Irvington recommended for approval · Mirror Indy · June 11, 2026
- Indianapolis east side data center wins approval, despite community opposition · Indiana Public Radio · July 2026
- Indianapolis data centers, explained · Mirror Indy · 2026
- Indianapolis data center moratorium receives final approval · Indianapolis Business Journal · Aug 19, 2026
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