Revitalizing Selma
Rex Jones Photography
The Selma Redevelopment Authority is dedicated to fostering economic growth, preserving historic assets, and creating new opportunities for investment and revitalization throughout Selma. Through strategic partnerships, community engagement, and thoughtful redevelopment initiatives, we work to strengthen downtown, support local businesses, and enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. Together, we are building on Selma’s rich history to create a vibrant future.
The Selma Redevelopment Authority provides reimbursement grant funding for property owners to repair and restore building facades in the downtown SRA area. The grant covers 50 percent of the cost, up to $5,000, in approved repairs. Currently, all funding has been allocated.
Part of what makes Selma unique is its wide array of architectural styles, reflecting two centuries of history. Selma has the largest contiguous historic district in Alabama, and the downtown area is a part of both the Old Town Historic District and the Water Avenue Historic District.
Experts like Donovan Rypkema argue historic preservation not only preserves a cultural and historical identity, but it makes economic sense. Historic preservation has benefits like increased property values, affordable housing, environmental sustainability, and job creation, in addition to heritage tourism.
Thus, the focus becomes "historic preservation as economic development."
The Unified Signage Grant was completed in 2025. This project provided ten downtown businesses with custom window signage, sandwich board signs, and planted containers to highlight their businesses. A variety of businesses, from barbershops to restaurants to boutiques, used this program to enhance their street presence.
We are a Designated
Main Street Community
The Selma Redevelopment Authority is proud to celebrate Selma's designation as one of Main Street Alabama's newest Designated Communities.
Following a highly competitive application process, Selma earned a place among just 36 designated districts across the state, joining a network of communities committed to preserving historic assets, supporting local businesses, and creating vibrant downtown destinations.
This designation reflects the hard work, collaboration, and vision of community leaders, stakeholders, and residents who continue to invest in Selma's future. We look forward to leveraging the resources, partnerships, and opportunities provided through Main Street Alabama to further strengthen downtown revitalization efforts and drive sustainable economic growth for generations to come.
