Redevelopment is more than construction or renovation; it empowers the community to have a hand in improving quality of life and the surrounding environment as a result of sound planning practices.

The City of Columbus Indiana Redevelopment Department plays a key role in the enhancement of the quality of life of the City of Columbus and Bartholomew County.  Commission staff work with the Mayor, City Council and members of the Redevelopment Commission to ensure that the City of Columbus develops projects that include: benefiting the overall community; retaining and creating good-paying jobs; supporting local businesses; providing quality housing options; redeveloping properties; and reinforcing our community’s commitment to innovative design and responsible development.

The Redevelopment Department’s staff includes an Executive Director, a Project Coordinator and an Administrative Assistant. The Director works in conjunction with diverse community interests and potential developers on all Redevelopment projects.  A variety of economic development options are utilized to make Columbus competitive for future job growth and development, including Tax Increment Financing (TIF). This innovative economic development tool provides the Commission staff and locally-elected leadership the option of providing financing to support future growth and development.

We are committed to being consistent, accessible and transparent in all of our actions and decisions to improve our community.  We believe in balanced growth and revitalization.  This is achieved through creative public and private engagement that seeks to promote and encourage business growth, expand economic and employment opportunities, and improve our quality of life.  The Redevelopment Commission administers and funds projects after extensive public review and approval.

The Columbus Redevelopment Commission is composed of five (5) voting members with three (3) appointed by the Mayor and two (2) by the City Council. In addition, membership includes one (1) non-voting member of the school corporation and one (1) non-voting liaison from the City Council.   All of the members are local residents. The Commission meets in regular session – open to the public, once a month.  Records of the Commission’s meetings and agenda are maintained online and posted to this website

Riverfront Project INVITATION TO BID – City of Columbus Riverfront Construction (trail connector, dam removal, and in-river improvements) project prequalification access can be obtained now by emailing terri@zurbuchinc.com. Prequalified bidders will be able to bid on the project scopes of work: site clearing and enabling, In-river work, site concrete, site electrical, landscaping and fencing. A pre-bid meeting will be held in the Cal Brand Meeting Hall at Columbus City Hall (123 Washington Street, Columbus, IN 47201) on Tuesday, October 1st at 10am. A second pre-bid meeting will take place at Columbus City Hall in the Council Chambers on Friday, October 11th at 10am. Bids will be due on Tuesday, October 29th at 11am. The full bid notice may be accessed by visiting the project webpage.

Department of Public Works Building Project NOTIFICATION OF SHORTLISTED SUBMISSIONS: On Monday, November 18, 2024, the RFPQ respondents were announced at the City of Columbus Redevelopment Commission meeting. One response was received from Force Construction Company, Inc. On Wednesday, November 20, 2024, the RFPQ review committee reviewed the response. The response met all minimum criteria as established in the RFPQ and associated addendum. The committee determined that it will meet with Force Construction Company, Inc. in order to negotiate a best and final offer.

Final selection will occur in accordance with Indiana Code and include a public hearing with public notification. Any questions should be submitted in writing via email to the department’s owner’s representative:

Jason Larrison, AIA
Vice President, J.S. Held LLC
jlarrison@jsheld.com

We Want to Hear from YOU! Merritt Chase hosted a Public Engagement Session on Monday, October 21st from 5PM – 7PM at the Commons Lobby to showcase their initial design concepts and encourage public feedback. Not able to make it? Good news – you can still provide feedback online by visiting the project website.

Columbus Downtown 2030 Firm(s) Selected! A total of 18 proposals for the Columbus Downtown 2030 Plan were received in mid-September, followed by interviews with five (5) of the shortlisted firms. The Guiding Team unanimously selected the firm Sasaki, which is partnering with the firms SB Friedman and Storyboard, to lead the CD 2030 Plan initiatives. Sasaki is a well-known firm which specializes in planning, urban design, architecture, landscape architecture, and strategy. SB Friedman represents the analytical arm of the team and is a real estate, economic development, and public-private finance advisory firm with implementation strategies rooted in market realty and financial feasibility. Storyboard is a woman-owned business enterprise with a focus on design and implementation of a full suite of community engagement strategies.