Star formation in the massive "starless" infrared dark cloud
  G0.253$+$0.016
  G0.253+0.016 is a remarkable massive infrared dark cloud located within
$\sim$100 pc of the galactic center. With a high mass of $1.3 \times 10^5
M_\odot$, a compact average radius of $\sim$2.8 pc and a low dust temperature
of 23 K, it has been believed to be a yet starless precursor to a massive
Arches-like stellar cluster. We present sensitive JVLA 1.3 and 5.6 cm radio
continuum observations that reveal the presence on three compact thermal radio
sources projected against this cloud. These radio sources are interpreted as
HII regions powered by $\sim$B0.5 ZAMS stars. We conclude that although
G0.253+0.016 does not show evidence of O-type star formation, there are
certainly early B-type stars embedded in it. We detect three more sources in
the periphery of G0.253+0.016 with non-thermal spectral indices. We suggest
that these sources may be related to the galactic center region and deserve
further study.
