SRA adopts original footprint for focus and Main Street catchment area   

The Selma Redevelopment Authority defined its area of operation in downtown Selma at its January meeting.  

Meeting at the Selma Art Guild Gallery on Jan. 18, the SRA adopted its original “footprint” as the area it will concentrate on. The same area will be the catchment area for Main Street Alabama. SRA administrates Selma’s relationship with Main Street Alabama. 

The outside boarders of the SRA and Main Street Selma catchment are: from the bottom, from Historic River Front Park left along Water Avenue to Mabry Street; up Mabry Street to Parkman Avenue; from Parkman Avenue right across to Church Street; up Church Street to J.L. Chestnut Jr. Boulevard and right along J. L. Chestnut Jr. Boulevard to Martin Luther King Street; and down Martin Luther King Street to Historic River Front Park.  

SRA Chairman Martha Lockett said the SRA footprint and Main Street catchment include “both sides” of the streets. “I will inform the City Council that we have restricted our boundaries to the original (SRA footprint), and it will be the Main Street District, too,” Lockett said. 

The SRA Board also agreed to invite Tanya Maloney, Main Street field services specialist, to its February meeting. She will explain Main Street Alabama’s “four points” of image building: organization, promotion, design and economic vitality. 

Lockett said she is sending a letter asking the Selma City Council to release this year’s funds. The City Council sent SRA its funds for 2023 late in the year.  

Lockett also said a letter of intent was sent to the Daniels Foundation for $20,000 for capacity building, specifically to pay for staff and build a website.  

Attending Thursday’s meeting were Lockett, SRA Community Advocate Susan Youngblood, SRA Treasurer Sylvia Smith, Clay Carmichael, Mandy Henry and Dr. Rose Wilkins. Absent were Kayarda Lowe and Jimmie Coleman.  

The next meeting of the SRA will be Feb. 15.