The building on Broad Street next to Swift Drugs, which is known as the first YMCA in Selma, has become one of the last places people want to be. But the city could be on its way to finding a solution to the problem.

The Selma City Council’s Public Safety Committee met Thursday to discuss the next step for the structure, which is owned by Tom Bolton and has become dilapidated through years of wear and tear.

Bolton met with engineers who said the building should be torn down; however, the city also met with engineers who said the building could be stabilized. The Historic Commission also asked that the property not be torn down.

Selma City Attorney Jimmy Nunn said Bolton has discussed deeding the property to the city. Nunn said if the building is going to be stabilized, the city might have a better shot at securing funds to make it possible.

Selma City Council President Cecil Williamson said he didn’t feel the city should take on the responsibility for bringing the structure back up to par.

Planning and Development director Charlotte Griffeth said she has discussed the condition of the building with Mobile’s historic commission and said they have been able to save the façade of downtown buildings. This, she said, might be a possibility for the old YMCA building.

“The structure itself is well beyond saving with the exception of the front façade,” she said. “The historic commission down in Mobile has done a wonderful job of stabilizing façades. The hope is that we can save that façade,”

Griffeth said the Selma Historic Commission said they would be happy with saving just the façade.

A final decision will be made after meetings with both the Historical Commission and Bolton..