Key Takeaways

• Audie Tarpley, president of Dillon Construction Group, has extensive experience managing large-scale commercial and mixed-use developments in Indianapolis.
• Mixed-use developments combine residential, retail, and commercial spaces, revitalizing underused land and supporting local economies.
• Projects like The Jefferson in Bargersville and Grand on the Main in Westfield are driving urban renewal and community growth in Indiana.
• Mixed-use developments generate jobs, attract residents, and create tax revenues while promoting sustainable urban planning.
• Public-private partnerships (PPPs) play a vital role in funding and implementing mixed-use developments that benefit both cities and private investors.

Audie Tarpley is the president and owner of Dillon Construction Group in Indianapolis, where he evaluates, plans, and manages commercial, industrial, retail, and multifamily projects. His completed work spans the 150,000 square foot Lids headquarters, a five story Merchants Bank headquarters, and The Quarry Luxury Apartments with 208 units and structured parking.

Prior positions at Duke Realty Investments and Bear Creek Capital involved comprehensive budgeting, entitlement, and construction leadership, including schedule and cost improvements through value engineering. He also served as a development manager at Jones Lang LaSalle on a $35 million shopping center redevelopment.

With this background in urban and campus scale projects around Indianapolis, he provides a grounded view of how mixed use properties support local economies, attract residents, and catalyze reinvestment.

Mixed Use Properties Offer Indianapolis Multiple Economic Benefits

Like many states nationwide, Indiana has discovered the value of mixed developments. Mixed-use construction combines dining, retail, housing, and community spaces, making a community attractive, creating employment opportunities, and increasing the tax base. Mixed-use developments offer local communities several benefits, including economic advantages.

Cities like Bargersville, located near Indianapolis, have explored the idea of bringing mixed-use development to their towns. In Bargersville, The Jefferson is a construction project that will transform the old Bargersville Flea Market into a mixed-use development. When completed sometime in 2028, the mixed-use project will cover 11 acres and comprise retail, commercial, and over 200 residential units.

In addition to reusing this land, project planners hope that The Jefferson will breathe new life into the corridors along State Roads 135 and 134. To accommodate the traffic in the area, city officials planned to build a roundabout to funnel it in and out of the area. Further, planners expect The Jefferson to be the catalyst for more development.

Westfield is another city near Indianapolis preparing to build a mixed-use community that officials originally named 32 Jersey because it will sit on Jersey Street. They renamed it to Grand on the Main, and it sits on the southeast corner of State Road 32 and Poplar Road. The plan comprises a $105 million budget to build 216 apartments, 15,000 square feet of retail, 15,000 square feet of office space, restaurants, and other businesses in the area. Central to the project is the creation of a public plaza that highlights the historic role Westfield played in the Underground Railroad. The project will complete in 2027, and many residents have expressed their excitement and anticipation for the business the mixed-use development will bring.

Westfield residents are justified in expecting positive impacts from this development, as mixed-use developments tend to bring economic benefits, including providing housing. A city only becomes strong and grows when people move to it. Providing housing attracts young talent to the area.

Mixed-use communities act as anchors in communities that support surrounding businesses. There are always large numbers of people in mixed-use neighborhoods, and residents and visitors not only frequent businesses in the project but also those in the surrounding community.

Job creation is a direct benefit of building a mixed-use community in a city. They create retail, restaurant, and commercial business jobs.

Mixed-use projects are a sensible solution for revitalizing areas that have fallen into disrepair and neglect. Before revitalization, these communities did not generate a lot in terms of taxes. The mixed-use projects become tax-generating hubs that raise property values in the area.

Mixed-use communities also attract professionals and families seeking modern environments with amenities like dining and convenient shopping. It enables cities to retain new residents and attract investment.

Finally, mixed-use projects provide cities with the chance to engage in public-private partnerships (PPP). These partnerships, between municipalities and private developers, enable cities to benefit from the use of public resources and private ingenuity. Types of PPPs include tax increment financing, which enables the town to benefit from future tax revenue generated by the project. PPPs may emerge from the need to enhance or develop infrastructure projects for utilities, parking, and stormwater systems.

Mixed-use projects can be integral to revitalizing communities. Without them, municipalities risk losing young, professional talent and families because of a lack of surrounding amenities (shopping, dining, and entertainment). Finally, communities become stagnant without population growth, which interferes with business growth.

About Audie Tarpley

Audie Tarpley leads Dillon Construction Group in Indianapolis as president and owner, guiding business development, design, estimating, and project execution. His portfolio includes The Quarry Luxury Apartments, the Lids corporate headquarters, and a headquarters for Merchants Bank. Earlier experience includes roles at Duke Realty Investments, Bear Creek Capital, and Jones Lang LaSalle. Educated in civil engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology, he participates in professional organizations such as The Real Estate Council and the Urban Land Institute.

FAQs

Who is Audie Tarpley?

Audie Tarpley is the president and owner of Dillon Construction Group in Indianapolis, overseeing major commercial, industrial, and mixed-use projects.

What are mixed-use developments?

Mixed-use developments integrate residential, retail, office, and recreational spaces into a single community, encouraging growth and convenience.

What are some notable mixed-use projects near Indianapolis?

The Jefferson in Bargersville and Grand on the Main in Westfield are key developments expected to boost local economies and attract new residents.

How do mixed-use developments benefit communities?

They create jobs, generate tax revenue, revitalize neglected areas, and attract professionals seeking vibrant, amenity-rich living spaces.

What role do public-private partnerships play in these projects?

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) help cities collaborate with private developers to fund and manage infrastructure and urban revitalization projects.