The site of the former Brassie Golf Club may be the site of a new $1.3 million data center. Above is an artist’s rendition of the potential project. TOWN OF CHESTERTON/photo
A Texas company wants to invest an estimated $1.3 billion to build a data center complex on the former Brassie Golf Club property off Pearson Road.
The first public presentation of the concept for the huge project was made during Thursday’s Chesterton Advisory Plan Commission meeting.
Provident Realty Advisors, Dallas, Tex. company, wants to buy the golf course property owned by PMM Chesterton LLC.
The Brassie Golf Club property encompasses 163 acres and an adjoining parcel would put the project at 200 acres. There are 129 acres already within the town limits. PMM Chesterton has started the annexation process for 71 acres that currently is in Liberty Township, seeking to bring the land into Chesterton.
Jorge Gonzalez of Southland Consulting Engineers presented the project and noted that the investment in building the project would be around $1.3 billion.
Gonzalez noted that for those unfamiliar with the amount of investment involved in a project like this, “it’s mind blowing.”
“These things are very expensive, and very modern,” Gonzalez said.
And, Gonzalez noted, data centers are “spectacular tax generators” for the communities they are located in.
“The taxes generated are significant and can help the community as a whole,” Gonzalez said.
The plan envisions eight buildings, which would each be 150,000 square feet. The cost for the construction of each building would be between $165 million to $173 million.
Gonzalez said he does anticipate there would be a request for some tax abatement from Chesterton. He said that is the case with other data centers located in the United States.
The Brassie Golf Club site is attractive because of its close proximity to NIPSCO’s high voltage transmission power lines, Gonzalez said.
“We’re very excited about this site for a data center,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez said the plan calls for only 37% of the land to be used. He said that the way the data center buildings would be located, there would be a significant buffer to mitigate noise.
There probably would be between 20 to 30 employees at each building .Some of the potential clients for the data centers which would contain the computers, include Google, Amazon and Microsoft.
“The reality is there would be more equipment than people,” Gonzalez said.
As a result, Gonzalez said he doesn’t believe there will be a significant impact on traffic in that part of Chesterton. He said that there would also be security staff on site, so he doesn’t anticipate there would be an increased demand on the police department.
Gonzalez said in approaching this project, they view themselves as guests in the community. He said there would be a large public meeting with the community later.
“We want to collaborate and work with everybody,” Gonzalez said.
Construction probably would not start until early 2026, Gonzalez said.
Advisory Plan Commission members had a very positive first response to the plan.
Councilwoman Sharon Darnell (DDIstrict 4) noted that with Indiana’s tax system, this proposal is the best for keeping Chesterton “financially sound.” She noted that because of property tax caps, large residential developments don’t pay.
Lennar Homes was interested in developing the Brassie Golf Club property, but backed off after receiving a skeptical reception from the Advisory Plan Commission. The Chicago area developer had proposed building 394 homes on the property.
“Economically this is the best project presented for this land,” said Councilman Dane Lafata (D-District 4),
Advisory Board President Fred Owens said it appears the project would be “a good use for the space.”
Board member James Kowalski said that Chesterton is a “tight-knit community” and that residents don’t want their home life disturbed and are worried about their property values.
Kowalski noted that it would be important for the developer to “sell it to us so we can sell it to the community.”
In other business, the Advisory Plan Commission set a public hearing for June 20 on a proposed veterinary clinic to be located on 17 acres on the northwest corner of Meridian Road and County Road 1050 N.
Dr. Christopher Brahos wants to build a 4,000 square foot building, which he envisions would be large enough for three veterinarians to practice.
Brahos said that small animals, such as dogs and cats, might be boarded for a short time, but only in connection with the veterinary practice.
Two requests made by Attorney Greg Babco*ck, on behalf of Brahos, were met with opposition by board members.
The main entrance for the veterinary clinic would be off of County Road 1050 N, but the owner would seek a variance for a second entrance off of Meridian Road.
Town Engineer Mark O’Dell said he wouldn’t recommend a second entrance off of Meridian Road. Other board members questioned why the veterinary office would need the second entrance.
Advisory Plan Commission members weren’t inclined to grant a request for relief from the town’s sidewalk requirement. Babco*ck asked if it was possible for a delay on building a sidewalk on the Meridian Road side of the property.
Darnell said that the town is trying to make up for the fact that there are sidewalk gaps around the community because the prior town engineer didn’t require them 20 years ago.
Board member Thomas Kopko said that granting a variance or delay in building the sidewalk was a “non-starter.”
