PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

Community Development
Victor Inge
(334) 874-5326

The Department of Planning and Development has worked to ensure the vision of the City’s Executive Officer and its elected officials is brought to fruition.  The Department has partnered with local committees and organizations, and state and federal governments to identify opportunities that will enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Selma.  Projects currently in the design, development, or implementation stage are:

Riverfront Development:  The Department considers the Alabama River to be an underused resource in the City of Selma.  The Department has therefore taken steps to identify resources that will be used to facilitate the “Riverfront Development”.  It is the goal of the Department to present to the City of Selma a newly constructed “Riverfront Walking and Bicycle Trail” which will run along the Alabama River.  This project will cause this portion of the city to become accessible to local citizens and visitors who would like to view and study the historic structures located in the Water Avenue District.

Selma Interpretive Center:  The Selma Interpretive and Welcome Center will be an educational tool used by local citizens and visitors who are interested in civil, human, and voting rights, as well as, social and economic justice.  The facility will feature the SELMA STORY, including how Selma became a major thread in a national movement for equal justice.  The one-half block complex will house an information center, theatre and audio visual elements, exhibition areas, educational programs, and meeting space. This project is being made possible through a partnership with the local, state, and federal governments.

HistoricPreservation:  The Department of Planning and Development continues to partner with business and citizens to preserve the city’s history.  To that end, the City is working with environmentalists to ensure caved-in structures do not present a health and safety risk in the removal process.  The Department is also working to ensure the owners of historic structures understand the responsibility of owning historic structures.  Historic buildings must not only be retained, these buildings must also be rehabilitated and maintained.

Streetscape:  Streetscape is a term used to define the space between the buildings on either side of the street.  It sets the stage for our experiences as we walk, bike, or drive down a street.  The Department of Planning and Development looks at streetscape as the walls, ceilings, floors, and furniture of our community’s living room; therefore, the plan for the facades or fronts of buildings are created to provide the visual texture that frames the street.  The Department of Planning and Development implement Streetscape projects with a goal to balance the need to preserve and modernize the visual image of Selma.

Downtown Revitalization:  The City of Selma is committed to the revitalization of its downtown district.  A comprehensive strategy for downtown revitalization not only supports the economic health and quality of life in a community, it creates jobs, incubates small businesses and protects property.