Heather Pope<\/strong>, Director of Redevelopment
\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"Heather](\"https:\/\/www.columbus.in.gov\/redevelopment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/02\/6.png\")
<\/strong><\/p>\nHeather Pope began her career with the City of Columbus in 1996. After 16 years of assuming progressive roles and responsibilities within the Planning Department, culminating in six years serving as Senior Planner, she made the transition to her role as Executive Director of Redevelopment in 2012. In her time leading the Redevelopment Department, she has partnered with multiple city and county commissions to spearhead important projects that have built the city\u2019s housing stock, completed city-wide infrastructure improvements, added and improved upon existing trail connections, supported local workforce development, and targeted vital properties for city acquisition and future development. In total, the Redevelopment Department has managed over $250 million dollars in economic development projects and initiatives during her tenure.<\/p>\n
Heather is a graduate of Indiana University, where she obtained dual bachelor\u2019s degrees from the Kelley School of Business in management and marketing. She is active on many community boards, including Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (AIM)\u2019s Redevelopment Association of Indiana, on which she serves as President. She is a lifelong Bartholomew County Resident.<\/span><\/p>\nHeather Pope<\/strong>
\nExecutive Director of Redevelopment
812-376-2547<\/p>\nRedevelopment Staff:<\/b><\/h2>\n
The Redevelopment Staff consists of the Director, an Assistant Director and an Office Administrator.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![](\"https:\/\/www.columbus.in.gov\/redevelopment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/02\/4-150x150.png\" "\\"4\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Mikala Brown, Assistant Director<\/strong><\/p>\nMikala Brown began her role in 2021 as the Project Coordinator for the Redevelopment Department. Since January 2025, she now serves as the Redevelopment Assistant Director. Mikala received her Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Business with dual concentrations in Finance and Management from Indiana University. She brings experience in financial analysis, project management, event planning, and communications strategy to support the department.<\/p>\n
Phone: 812-376-2503<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![](\"https:\/\/www.columbus.in.gov\/redevelopment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/02\/5-150x150.png\" "\\"Casey")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Casey Buchanan, Office Administrator<\/strong><\/p>\nCasey Buchanan has served as Office Administrator for the Department of Redevelopment since 2024. She brings to the role over a decade of experience in communications, project management and strategic planning. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor\u2019s of Arts in Sociology from Indiana University.<\/p>\n
Phone: 812-376-2520<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Redevelopment Commissioners:<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe Director and staff of the Redevelopment Department support and facilitate the work of the Redevelopment Commissioners. Their primary objectives are to promote and encourage economic development within the City of Columbus.<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/p>\nHeather Pope began her career with the City of Columbus in 1996. After 16 years of assuming progressive roles and responsibilities within the Planning Department, culminating in six years serving as Senior Planner, she made the transition to her role as Executive Director of Redevelopment in 2012. In her time leading the Redevelopment Department, she has partnered with multiple city and county commissions to spearhead important projects that have built the city\u2019s housing stock, completed city-wide infrastructure improvements, added and improved upon existing trail connections, supported local workforce development, and targeted vital properties for city acquisition and future development. In total, the Redevelopment Department has managed over $250 million dollars in economic development projects and initiatives during her tenure.<\/p>\n
Heather is a graduate of Indiana University, where she obtained dual bachelor\u2019s degrees from the Kelley School of Business in management and marketing. She is active on many community boards, including Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (AIM)\u2019s Redevelopment Association of Indiana, on which she serves as President. She is a lifelong Bartholomew County Resident.<\/span><\/p>\n Heather Pope<\/strong> The Redevelopment Staff consists of the Director, an Assistant Director and an Office Administrator.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Mikala Brown, Assistant Director<\/strong><\/p>\n Mikala Brown began her role in 2021 as the Project Coordinator for the Redevelopment Department. Since January 2025, she now serves as the Redevelopment Assistant Director. Mikala received her Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Business with dual concentrations in Finance and Management from Indiana University. She brings experience in financial analysis, project management, event planning, and communications strategy to support the department.<\/p>\n Phone: 812-376-2503<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Casey Buchanan, Office Administrator<\/strong><\/p>\n Casey Buchanan has served as Office Administrator for the Department of Redevelopment since 2024. She brings to the role over a decade of experience in communications, project management and strategic planning. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor\u2019s of Arts in Sociology from Indiana University.<\/p>\n Phone: 812-376-2520<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> The Director and staff of the Redevelopment Department support and facilitate the work of the Redevelopment Commissioners. Their primary objectives are to promote and encourage economic development within the City of Columbus.<\/p>\n
\nExecutive Director of Redevelopment
812-376-2547<\/p>\nRedevelopment Staff:<\/b><\/h2>\n
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Redevelopment Commissioners:<\/strong><\/h2>\n