Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Lifeline Data Centers Begins Construction at the Eastgate Consumer Mall Campus

Indianapolis, Indiana - After removing over 2,400 cubic yards of debris, Lifeline Data Centers ended demolition and began construction today on its new data center and office facility at the former Eastgate Consumer Mall in Indianapolis. Lifeline is transforming the 40-acre, former retail mall into 450,000 square feet of data center space supported by 200,000 square feet of office space. The project is a partnership between the principles of Lifeline Data Centers and Marvin Slomowitz, President of Mark Development in Kingston, PA.

Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard joined Lifeline today in the construction ceremony. "We are confident that Lifeline will make an excellent corporate neighbor since their goal is to rebuild the grounds by restoring the mall structure, removing most of the parking lot and returning it to green space, bringing high-tech jobs to the area, and building new structures that will add more tax base to the Warren Township area."

Alex Carroll, co-owner of Lifeline, said, "The Eastgate facility is designed to house primary or secondary computer room space for large and small companies from all over the nation. Lifeline is also providing office and storage space in addition to the data center facilities so companies can bring Information Technology staff and staging to a single campus environment. Indianapolis offers a central geographic location, some of the lowest power rates in the nation, a favorable construction climate and the most affordable housing in the top fifty markets. The Eastgate facility provides additional infrastructure that makes Indianapolis more attractive to companies looking to relocate their business. "

Industry trends show that both large and small companies continue to outsource their computer data center facilities. Based on a recent study conducted by Trinity Information Systems, half of all companies will relocate or outsource some of their data centers or computer applications in the next five years. American Power Conversion (APC) believes that in the next five years, 90% of all companies will experience at least one interruption in computer operations because of power limitations, power faults, or power availability. Companies that outsource the facilities side of their computer operations can significantly reduce these risks.

Lifeline's first phase of the build out includes fourth quarter 2008 availability of the first 60,000 square feet of data center floor space inside the former mall. The remaining mall space will be refit as customized office space and staging/storage facilities for data center clients' Information Technology staff and employees. Lifeline will then build free-standing tornado resistant-buildings to bring the total data center space to 450,000 square feet. Rich Banta, co-owner of Lifeline, said "Lifeline builds all hardened data center facilities to the 99.995% uptime and TIA-942 specifications. There are no single points of failure for power, cooling, or data connectivity." Lifeline also plans a green campus environment by employing hydrogen-assisted diesel generators, reflective roof technologies, returning of old parking lots to green space, as well as implementing innovative HVAC technologies. Lifeline’s total investment in the project will be $50 million.

Lifeline secured financing for this expansion from M&I Bank in Indianapolis. "M&I Bank is excited to be involved in this project. Lifeline Data Centers has been a valued customer of our bank and we expect an overwhelming success," stated Tim Massey, Executive Vice President of M&I Bank.