Selma-Dallas County officials celebrate $2M grant to resurface seven downtown streets

Officials gathered at the Carl C. Morgan Convention Center Tuesday to celebrate what Selma Mayor James Perkins Jr. called “a heck of a start” toward rebuilding the city’s infrastructure.  

City, county and federal officials formally announced a $2 million federal grant that will resurface 59 blocks. City Planning Director Danielle Wooten said seven downtown streets and about that many streets in Disaster Area 1 will be resurfaced, not just repaved.  

“Some of these streets have layers (of pavement) on top of layers,” which has created drainage problems, Wooten said. This project will remove layers so the streets will be restored, she said.  

Disaster Area 1, so named since the January 2023 tornado, runs east of Broad Street to Marie Foster Street and north of J.L. Chestnut Boulevard to First Avenue.   

Perkins said the city has focused on housing, economic development and infrastructure as the city recovers from the tornado, but he said housing and economic development can’t happen without strong infrastructure.  

Congresswoman Terri Sewell, in her third appearance at announcements across Selma on Tuesday, said the project is “a step in the right direction” toward the city’s recovery. 

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“We must keep on moving forward,” Sewell said. “What Selma and Dallas County must do, they can’t do without the help of all of us. We’re making a commitment to making Selma walk together to rebrand and redevelop and reimagine Selma and Dallas County.” 

Dallas County Probate Judge Jimmy Nunn said he’s “glad to see money coming in that you can see” in the way of improved streets. Selma City Council President Billy Young agreed.  

“Roads are not a luxury; they are a necessity,” Young said. “This has provided us with the tools we need to thrive. We don’t want to restore, we don’t want to just rebuild, we want to make Selma the best it’s ever been.”  

Work won’t begin until engineering plans are drawn up and the work is put out for bid, Perkins said.  

Dr. Corey Wiggins, federal co-chairman of the Delta Regional Authority, said the grant is “a great example of how governments work together to meet the needs of the community.” DRA was the lead federal partner in helping Selma and Dallas County obtain the grant.  

John Clyde Riggs, executive director of the Alabama-Tombigbee Regional Commission, also attended the event.