Recently, the federal government announced plans to possibly close as many as 60 federal courthouses throughout the country — one of those buildings being located right in the middle of downtown Selma.

At first thought, you might consider the closing of a building in Selma a bad thing. God knows at times we have seen buildings shuddered, but in this case, you need to ask yourself one question; and that is when was the last time you were in Selma’s Federal Courthouse building?

For many, the answer — if anything other than once or twice — is never.

With so few things taking place at the federal courthouse, U.S. Rep. Terry Sewell’s office remains the only viable operation in the building, and one that few visit daily.

What this closing — if approved — will do is provide economic leaders a strong, sturdy and historic building to market. Think of the possibilities this building could become.

Team Selma, the Centre for Commerce and the city of Selma, should begin talks immediately on what it will take to make this building — a building located across the street from the busy Dallas County Courthouse — a center for activity once again.

If the federal government can’t find a viable use for the building, then it is up to us and our leaders to make this building a community asset, rather than a liability.