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Google pledges $400,000 to finish inclusive playground; residents press council over data center impacts
Summary
Google pledged $400,000 to close funding for Michigan City’s Federers Alley all‑inclusive playground. Council and residents welcomed the gift but multiple speakers raised concerns about the Google data‑center project — road damage from heavy equipment, delivery impacts, and a desire for stronger local oversight and transparency.
Google announced a $400,000 contribution to close the final funding gap for the Federers Alley All‑Inclusive Playground and Fitness Park, a project city leaders and park staff said will serve residents of all abilities.
"We're very excited to get started here," Brick Green, Google’s public affairs manager for Indiana, told the council. He said Google will host community information on michigancitydatacenter.com and provide an email alias for questions. Park Superintendent Shannon Een thanked the city, nonprofits and private donors and described the playground as a legacy project for generations.
Mayor Angie Nelson and other council members framed the gift as a defining moment for the parks partnership and said ground breaking is planned to begin after Labor Day. Scott York, director of redevelopment, described the park as part of broader downtown investments and said the donation helps avoid cutting other park elements.
Despite praise for the playground, multiple residents used public comment to press the council on the related Google data‑center project. Ward residents and commenters said heavy equipment hauls and generator deliveries are damaging Royal and Trion roads, creating traffic delays and causing local disruption. "The hauling of those generators is destroying that road right now," neighborhood resident Amy Lassinski said, describing repeated delivery‑related blockages and saying she had to be late for a meeting because of a road closure.
Council members and Google’s representative said the company intends to hold community meetings and use the website and email alias to receive and respond to concerns. "A lot of that is yet to be determined," Brick Green said of mitigation measures, and Mayor Nelson and councilmembers urged the company to be transparent and responsive.
What happens next: Council heard Google’s presentation and accepted public remarks; the playground project will proceed toward a post‑Labor Day start, and Google has committed to community outreach channels. Residents asked the council to seek clearer assurances on road impacts, traffic mitigation and monitoring as construction and equipment deliveries continue.
