Selma's new Main Street program wins grant for improvements around Edmund Pettus Bridge

Selma Main Street has received and completed a $5,000 Quick Grant from Main Street Alabama to renew Selma’s gateway to downtown – the Edmund Pettus Bridge. 

The grant allowed for pressure washing sidewalks, weeding landscape beds, trimming trees and shrubs, new planters with flowers, and some general upkeep of the blocks surrounding the bridge was completed this week, Main Street Selma said in a statement.  

“We are thankful for Main Street Alabama’s support and want to start with the most visible improvements we can make,” says Director Sarah Aghedo. “We are grateful for the local crew that did excellent work and for the input of local officials and business owners whom guided this effort.”  

Erica Day, chair of the SMS Design Committee, said "People should not only see but feel the difference when they enter downtown Selma. Usable shade, flowers, clean sidewalks, and a clear view of our architecture may seem like small things. Combined, it tells people this place is cared for and worth investing in.”

Day said the completed work is a first step toward a broader streetscape plan. The Design Committee is working with the recently reorganized Selma Tree Commission’s arborist, Jack Rowe, to gather input from residents, downtown business owners and city leaders. SMS plans to combine local donations, grants, and volunteer hours to carry the work forward.

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“We have to build a downtown people want to walk through, spend time in, and help sustain,” Day said.

Main Street Alabama is focused on public-private partnerships, broad community engagement and strategies that create jobs, spark new investment, attract visitors and spur growth.

Main Street builds on the authentic history, culture, and attributes of specific places to bring sustainable change.  Selma Main Street is a Designated Main Street organization operating alongside the Selma Redevelopment Authority.  The Main Street Alabama Resource Team will be in Selma on Nov. 4-6 to offer a series of question-and-answer, goal setting and brainstorming sessions for the Selma community.

For more information visit www.selmara.org or email mainst@selmara.org.