Alabamians want to see comeback for Selma's Broad Street Historic District, says study

A study from MarketBeat has found that Alabamians are hoping to hoping to see a revival of the Broad Street Historic District of Selma. 

Lying nearby Edmund Pettus bridge, the study noted the district's historic storefronts and civic buildings. Though there has been some restoration work and independent businesses have set up shop there Alabamians reportedly still want to see more happen in this area.

The district was among other main street areas where respondents were asked what they want to see make a comeback, particularly in terms of food, culture and local life. What they wanted to see most were:

• Diners, cafes, and restaurants: 24%
• Live music/entertainment venues: 19%
• Farmers' markets/street fairs: 19%
• Family-friendly public spaces: 17%
• Independent shops: 9%
• Bookstores, galleries, or cultural spaces: 7%
• Boutique hotels / restored historic inns: 6%

They also described that their districts were:

• In need of a serious comeback: 22%
• Too many empty storefronts: 19%
• Full of potential: 15%
• Still loved by locals, but overlooked by visitors: 15%
• Beautiful but neglected: 12%
• Charming but underused: 10%
• Overshadowed by chain retail elsewhere: 8%

But what caused what appear to be a decline? Respondents blamed the following:

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• Online shopping: 12%
• Highway bypasses/traffic moving elsewhere: 9%
• Not enough parking: 9%
• Poor planning or zoning: 7%
• Safety concerns: 7%
• Population decline: 6%
• When asked about losses these were what were cited:
• Local businesses disappear: 24%
• The town loses its identity: 16%
• Historic buildings fall into disrepair: 14%
• People become more disconnected: 14%
• Tourists stop visiting: 12%
• Everything starts to look the same: 11%
• Young people leave: 9%

But the potential for comebacks lie in these:

• Local restaurants and coffee shops: 21%
• Affordable storefronts for new businesses: 20%
• Historic buildings: 15%
• Walkability: 14%
• Existing loyal local support: 11%
• Tourism appeal: 9%
• A scenic setting: 7%
• Arts/culture scene: 4%

And they want to avoid:

• Too expensive / gentrified: 32%
• A nightlife-only district: 18%
• Filled with national chains: 15%
• Overdeveloped with modern buildings: 15%
• A fake “theme park” version of itself: 12%
• Too touristy: 8%

“Historic Main Streets are more than sentimental landmarks; they are a reflection of how people feel about the future of their communities,” said MarketBeat Founder Matt Paulson. “When residents believe in a downtown’s future, it reflects optimism about small businesses, tourism, property investment and civic life. This survey shows Americans do not want these places frozen in time. They want practical revival that brings activity back while preserving the local character that made these districts matter in the first place.”