Selma approves development of former Tepper Building, developer says

Development of the former Tepper Building in downtown Selma has taken on a second life.

Portia Fulford, who owns the building on 25 Broad St., said on Facebook that the Selma Historic Commission and the Selma Architectural Review Board last week approved developing the former department store for “housing and mixed used development.”

The building will bring over 75 housing units, medical offices, mixed development and Selma’s first woman-founded credit union into downtown, Fulford said.

“We anticipate permitting within the next few weeks and to begin construction in August,” Fulford said in her post.

This is the second attempt at reviving the former department store. Fulford placed a massive banner that promoted turning the building into eco-friendly lofts, business space, a rooftop bar and restaurant, and retail shops in July 2021. The banner gave an opening date of fall/winter of that year. Construction never began, and the shredded banner was eventually pulled off the empty building.

As for this project, Fulford thanked Selma city officials for their help. “A huge thank you to the City of Selma Attorney Office, Building Inspector, Planning & Development and Code Enforcement for working with our team to make this happen,” Fulford said. “We are deeply grateful for your patience, forward thinking and working with our development team to make this a reality for Selma.”

Fulford also thanked Chief Project Manager Sabriya Morris “for leading the way and collaborating between our Fulford & Co. team, our architects, finance team, board members, construction company and the city of Selma.”