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City of Selma officials closed the Larry D. Striplin Performing Arts Center on Friday because it is declared unsafe.

City of Selma Building Inspector Zeb Lee, Jr. deemed the building as unsafe, especially with part of the ceiling falling in.

“Everyday it is becoming more and more expensive to maintain these old historic structures and if we are to continue,
we simply need more money or we will need to set course in a new direction,” Selma Mayor James Perkins Jr. said in a statement.
“For now, it is what it is. We cannot allow another building to go unoccupied and therefore I am moving to declare the repairs an emergency. But I expect it
will be expensive.”

City of Selma Public Building Director Stephanie Menifee also spoke about the building.

“In addition to the age of the roof, the constant heavy rains are just taking their toll on our buildings and many of the roofs need to be replaced,” Menifee said.