The Sunday Post - May 17, 2026: DC BLOX Site Visit, OPHS Accountability, and New Eastside Development
- Michael-Paul Hart
- 24 minutes ago
- 4 min read
A weekly report from Councilor Michael-Paul Hart — Building the Smartest City in America.
Volume 2, Issue 20
Seeing the DC BLOX Model Up Close
This week, I took a quick trip to Atlanta to learn more about DC BLOX and the type of facility being proposed in District 20.
For full transparency, this was not luxury travel. I woke up at 3:30 a.m., boarded a 5:20 a.m. flight, sat in seat 32D on the way there, and had the middle seat on the way home. I landed back in Indy that afternoon at 4:00 p.m; and went straight to the City-County Building for a committee meeting.
The purpose of the trip was simple: meet DC BLOX leadership, see a comparable facility firsthand, listen to the equipment, take basic sound readings, and ask questions residents have been sending me.
The first stop was a DC BLOX colocation facility with the same building layout to what has been proposed on the Eastside. In simple terms, a colocation data center allows different customers to lease space for technical equipment, while internet and fiber providers connect into the building from dedicated rooms along the perimeter.
I expected the inside to feel much more crowded. Instead, there was significant open space in the areas I was able to tour. I could not take pictures inside customer-leased areas because those spaces are proprietary, but I was able to see the general layout and understand how the building functions.
I also took sound readings inside and outside the building, including near the generators and at
greater distances. I want to be transparent that I used a low-cost handheld decibel meter. DC BLOX had a different meter on site, and our readings did not fully match.
They committed to renting a professional-grade meter and repeating the test so the community can review a more reliable set of measurements.
From there, we toured a larger data center site under construction in the Atlanta area. I wanted to better understand not just operations, but also possible construction impacts. I took additional observations there and spoke with a nearby resident.
Interestingly, that resident’s concerns were more focused on lighting and construction-worker behavior near private property than on noise. They also described blasting tied to nearby projects, though the site conditions there were very different from the Eastside property being discussed here. No blasting is required in Indy.
I also asked questions about power costs and infrastructure. DC BLOX described a Georgia model in which the company funds certain dedicated infrastructure and makes major power commitments up front. I will be asking for clear, written answers about what would apply in Indiana, who pays for what, and what protections residents and ratepayers can expect.
That is why these site visits matter. They do not replace public process, but they do help me ask better questions on behalf of the community.
DC BLOX Community Meeting on May 21
Residents deserve clear updates and a real opportunity to be heard.
The next DC BLOX Data Center Community Session is scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2026, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Warren Township Administration Building, 975 N. Post Road, Indianapolis, IN 46219.
The event listing also includes an option to RSVP and submit questions in advance.
I encourage residents to attend, ask questions, and stay involved. My goal is not to rush this conversation. My goal is to make sure it is informed, transparent, and grounded in the concerns of the people who live nearby.
OPHS Hearing: Accountability Must Be Real
After returning to Indy, I went straight to the City-County Building for the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee hearing on the Office of Public Health and Safety audit.
The recent audit raised serious questions about oversight, documentation, internal controls, and whether programs are being measured effectively. OPHS works with some of the most vulnerable residents in our city, including people dealing with housing instability, food insecurity, and violence prevention needs. That makes accountability even more important.
My position is simple: if taxpayers are funding programs, the public deserves to know whether
the money is being handled properly and whether the programs are producing results.
At the hearing, I asked direct questions about oversight, reporting, and the outside review process. One point was later clarified to me: the state review being referenced was through the Indiana State Board of Accounts.
I recommend residents watch the full hearing and judge the exchange for themselves. This is exactly the kind of oversight the Council should be doing, and I will continue pushing for clear answers.
New Development Coming to East Washington Street
I also have a positive development update from the old Golden Corral site along East Washington Street.
A new small retail center is being planned for the property. Based on what I know today, the potential mix could include:
A Bank of America location
A smoothie or beverage concept
A telecom store
A national wings restaurant
A poke bowl concept new to Indy
A separate Dutch Bros proposal
The Dutch Bros piece may become especially important. A previous petition failed after IndyGo raised concerns related to the drive-through layout. Depending on how those conversations develop, I may ask residents to submit letters of support.
This is the kind of reinvestment I want to keep pushing for along East Washington Street. Strong corridors help strengthen neighborhoods, and I will continue supporting responsible development that brings new activity and opportunity to the Eastside.
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Accountability, Transparency and Local Leadership
See you next week with more updates from the Neighborhood.
