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The Columbus/Bartholomew County Planning Department’s senior planner has been named the city’s next director of the Columbus Redevelopment Commission.

Heather Pope, who began working in local government in 1996, said she intends to use her experience in property planning to improve the downtown and other city areas set aside as tax-increment financing districts.

Those districts are geographic bubbles that return at least some property tax

revenue generated from its businesses back into those areas for district improvements.

The commission is charged with fostering business growth, in part by appropriating land and making improvements within the city.

“I’m very excited,” said Pope, who starts her new job in August. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for me, and I have just always loved Columbus.”

Mayor Kristen Brown said she is glad to have Pope assume the responsibilities that have been handled temporarily by Mary Ferdon, director of the city’s Office of Community Development. She praised Pope’s strong planning background as an asset that will make her a solid director.

The city had been without a redevelopment director since Ed Curtin left at the end of last year.

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