Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development

New data center developments cannot be approved in Marion County until 2028 The Metropolitan Development Commission approved the pause Wednesday.

The moratorium on new data center projects in Marion County now heads to the Metropolitan Development Commission for approval.

The Metropolitan Development Commission voted 6-1 Wednesday to approve a scaled-back data center campus on Indianapolis' east side in Warren Township.

An Indianapolis City-County Council committee advanced a data center moratorium through 2027 after months of community pressure, sending the measure to the full council for an Aug. 10 vote.

The announcement from Indianapolis City-County Council President Maggie Lewis comes after months of protests at city meetings over data centers and calls from residents to pause approvals.

DC Blox is scaling back its proposed east side data center campus — fewer buildings and generators, a bigger buffer — just before the Metropolitan Development Commission's July 15 vote.

Concerns over preservation are top of mind for Near Eastside neighbors as the city considers potential development ideas for the former prison site.

From debris to water damage, any new developer will have to figure in the weight of repairs for future redevelopment of Old City Hall.

The most recent project to overhaul the historic site will not move forward because of funding issues.

The city has hired a second contractor to finish the project.