By Mayor George Evans

Today is the Bridge Crossing re-enactment, commemorating the 46th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery marches. On behalf of city government and the citizens of Selma, I extend a specialwelcome to the Congressional delegation, to the foot soldiers of the voting rights movement, to elected officials and dignitaries and to all the visitors who are returning to or coming to Selma for the first time to participate in this historic event. Welcome and enjoy your stay.

It has been a hectic and exciting past few weeks. This is the time of year when Selma unrolls the red carpet for the tens of thousands of visitors from around the world who come each spring.

The Bridge Crossing Jubilee held this weekend is one of the top 10 tourism events in Alabama and in two weeks, March 18-19, we will welcome more visitors to the 36th annual Selma Pilgrimage to view homes and sites in Alabama’s largest historic district.

My staff and I have worked feverishly to prepare for their arrival. Visitors and residents alike will see the many changes that are taking place downtown, on the riverfront and in our neighborhoods.

On Wednesday, we opened the visitor’s area of the Selma Interpretive Center, located at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge, to the public. The visitor’s area is just a small part of the $35 million project that will eventually encompass 20,000 square feet.

If you enjoy meeting the public and telling Selma’s role in the civil rights movement, the National Park Service is still looking for volunteers to help them staff the center.

The Water Avenue Streetscape Project experienced many, many delays this winter due to cold and wet weather. The good news is the work is almost complete. We just need a spell of dry weather to wrap things up.

Over on the river, the riverwalk and footbridge are built, brush is cleared, trees are planted and the design phase of the amphitheater is finished. But much more work needs to be done.

When the park and amphitheater are completed they will not only provide enjoyment for Selma’s residents but will generate much-need tourism dollars for our city.

I invite citizens and businesses to get involved in this crucial project by helping to purchase bricks, benches, bike racks, trash receptacles, signage and other amenities.

Contact the planning and development department for a brochure that details the opportunities. Invest in Selma’s future.On Dallas Avenue, Memorial Stadium is getting a facelift. The exterior is being painted and the bathrooms, dressing areas, concession stand and bleachers are being

refurbished.

Along with the new track and lighting installed last year, the renovations will not only enhance the stadium for our home teams, but will put us in a very favorable position to attract statewide track meets and other sporting events that will generate revenue for our city.

These are some of the larger projects underway but we are also working to make much-needed infrastructure improvements throughout the city. Selma is an old historic city but the very quality that makes us so appealing above ground is our greatest weakness below ground.

It would take many millions of dollars to make all the needed sewer and street repairs but we are making an effort.

Of course, sometimes we run into the unexpected as has happened over on Mabry where the street we planned on resurfacing caved in or on Franklin where the cold and wet weather caused numerous delays.

These things are, understandably, upsetting to the people who live and work in the affected areas but a friend from New York recently put things in perspective for me. He said years ago, a large utility company that frequently dug up the streets placed signs at construction sites that read, “Dig we must for a greater New York.” I really like that that message.

Disruptions are sometimes necessary in the name of progress. Keeping that in mind, I hope the citizens of Selma will bear with me as we work to make Selma a better — and greater — place to live.

There are so many positive things going on in Selma and I am honored every day to serve as the mayor of the Queen City of the Black Belt. Thank you.