Heather Pope, Director of Redevelopment

Heather 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’s 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.

Heather is a graduate of Indiana University, where she obtained dual bachelor’s degrees from the Kelley School of Business in management and marketing. She is active on many community boards, including Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (AIM)’s Redevelopment Association of Indiana, on which she serves as President. She is a lifelong Bartholomew County Resident.

Heather Pope
Executive Director of Redevelopment
hpope@columbus.in.gov
812-376-2547

Redevelopment Staff:

The Redevelopment Staff consists of the Director, an Assistant Director and an Office Administrator.

Mikala Brown, Assistant Director

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’s 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.

Email: mikala.brown@columbus.in.gov

Phone: 812-376-2503

Casey Buchanan, Office Administrator

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’s of Arts in Sociology from Indiana University.

Emai: cbuchanan@columbus.in.gov

Phone: 812-376-2520

Redevelopment Commissioners:

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.

For complete information about the Redevelopment Commission and Commissioners please click here.