Residents raise environmental and transparency concerns as redevelopment staff explain LLCs and $450,000 payment tied to solar and data center projects

Public commentators at the Michigan City Common Council meeting on Oct. 7 urged the council to halt or reopen approvals tied to two separate but related redevelopment projects — a data center often referred to in public comments as “Project Maze” and a solar project adjacent to city hall — and pressed for more transparency about property transfers and environmental safeguards.

In public comment, Ashley Williams, a Michigan City resident, said developers for Project Maze had “moved polluted dirt past our schools and homes” and that no environmental studies or cleanup assurances had been provided. Dominic Yankee, another resident, asked the council to stop construction until air and soil testing show where excavated dirt has traveled; he cited possible asbestos and heavy metals. John Carrington and Paul Presbelinski also asked for clarification about who would own property conveyed for $10…