The Sunday Post - May 3, 2026: Washington Square, Data Center Updates, Spring Fiscal, and the Pennsy Trail
- Michael-Paul Hart
- 6 minutes ago
- 4 min read
A weekly report from Councilor Michael-Paul Hart — Building the Smartest City in America.
Volume 2, Issue 18
Washington Square Mall Community Meeting
This week, we held our Washington Square Mall community meeting at the Warren Township Administration Building.
Despite rough weather that evening, more than 50 people came out to share ideas, ask questions, and help shape the future of one of the Eastside’s most important redevelopment opportunities.
The purpose of the meeting was simple: explain how we got here, why this process matters, and give residents a real chance to provide input before a vision plan is finalized.
Washington Square has sat in uncertainty for too long. If Indy is going to become the Smartest City in America, we need smarter redevelopment, better public engagement, and plans that are shaped with the community.
Thank you to everyone who came out and participated.
If you were not able to attend, you can still share your feedback here:
We will have a second meeting with the business tenants on May 7th and another with the Community before the final plan is complete.
East Side Data Center Updates
This week, DC Blox released a new press statement following the recent community meeting on the proposed Eastside data center.
This continues to be an important issue for residents, especially because it involves land use, infrastructure, environmental questions, power, water, and long-term impact.
There will be another community meeting on May 21 at the Warren Township Administration Building.
Doors will open at 5:30 PM, and the meeting will begin at 6:30 PM.
This will be another opportunity for neighbors to ask questions, hear updates, share feedback, and review new information.
My position remains simple: major projects need serious review, clear rules, and public trust.
If Indianapolis wants to become the Smartest City in America, residents need information early and a real opportunity to be heard.
Spring Fiscal and the Missing $32 Million
Spring Fiscal is one of the major budget moments of the year.
It is when additional money becomes available through supplemental county income tax distributions. Those dollars are then introduced for appropriation to city and county agencies.
That means these are public dollars, and the process should be clear.
Several additional appropriations have already been introduced, including funding requests for technology, public safety grants, redevelopment, snow response, and other county needs.
But one major question remains:
Where is the $32 million?
There are approximately $32.5 million in funds not previously appropriated from supplemental income tax revenue and Consolidated County General fund balance.
I have asked for the details multiple times.
So far, I have received a phone call, not an itemized clear breakdown on the $32M.
That is a problem.
Every councilor should be able to review the proposed spending, ask questions, and represent their constituents before tens of millions of public dollars are allocated.
If we are serious about building the Smartest City in America, we need a smarter and more transparent budget process.
Where I Believe We Should Invest
As the Council reviews Spring Fiscal, I believe Indianapolis should focus on practical investments residents can see and feel.
That includes:
• A serious police officer recruitment and public awareness campaign
• A public safety data storage reduction pilot with the Information Services Agency
• Better constituent engagement and public opinion research with higher education and nonprofit partners
• Road funding focused on pavement preservation and lane-mile impact
The majority of flexible funding should go toward roads.
Residents across Marion County continue to raise concerns about potholes, deteriorating pavement, and streets that need attention.
We should be investing in resurfacing, mill and overlay, crack sealing, strip patching, and other data-driven pavement preservation methods that stretch taxpayer dollars further.
Good government starts with the basics.
Resident Spotlight: Bret Furgason and the Pennsy Trail
I want to recognize Bret Furgason for the work he continues to do along the Pennsy Trail.
Bret is one of those residents who does not just talk about improving the community. He shows up and does the work.
After the city patched pavement near Post Road and the Pennsy Trail, Bret helped clean up broken pavement and continued trimming back overgrowth along the trail.
He has worked nearly eight-tenths of a mile clearing back honeysuckle and helping keep the trail usable.
That kind of effort deserves recognition.
The Pennsy Trail is one of the Eastside’s most important public assets, and I am grateful for residents like Bret who help preserve and improve it.
Building the Smartest City in America is not only about what happens at the Council table. It is also about residents who take ownership of their neighborhoods and help make our city better.
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Accountability, Transparency and Local Leadership
See you next week with more updates from the Neighborhood.
