Developer of Tepper Building, five other properties, pulls out of Selma citing violence, infrastructure issues

A developer who owns a half dozen properties in Selma, including the Tepper Building on Broad Street, has announced she’s permanently pulling out of Selma.

Portia Fulford announced on Facebook Monday that she and her team voted “unanimously to defund the Selma development projects” and have “chosen to invest elsewhere permanently.”

“We have changed directions in response to the increase in violent crime and infrastructure issues,” Fulford said. “If you are a business or nonprofit that have a heart for Selma, we have several options for you.”

Those options include two riverfront properties on Water Avenue, the Tepper Building at 25 Broad St., as well as properties on 114 Broad St., 1006 Alabama Ave., 14 Broad St. and 515 Mabry St.

Fulford has put out two development plans for the Tepper Building, but no work has been done. The first development opportunity was announced with a multistory plastic wrap that faded and shredded and flapped in the wind. The second development called for a mixed used development that was to bring over 75 housing units, medical offices and Selma’s first woman-founded credit union.

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The former Voting Rights Museum on Water Avenue has been fenced off because a window fell out onto the sidewalk. The neighboring business asked the city of Selma to make Fulford reduce the size of the fence so that customers could park on the street.

In her Facebook post, Fulford said she has “decided to travel the world in a custom Land Rover Defender, invest internationally and micro finance women who create and build amazing and beautiful things all over Africa.”

Fulford said, “I give myself permission to grow and expand and to release anything that is not in harmony with my core values. … My team and I voted unanimously to defund the Selma development projects and reallocate the financing into other projects that is deeply meaningful, creative and reflect the core values of the Fulford Family Office. We have relocated the projects and chosen to invest elsewhere permanently.”

“Thank you, Selma, for believing in our team and supporting us,” Fulford said. “We look forward to sharing our new locations and grand opening date very soon.”