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The City of Selma Office of Planning and Development was awarded grant funds from the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) to start pre-construction activities for the Alabama Avenue Streetscape and Infrastructure Improvements Project.

A press conference was held Thursday at the corner of Alabama Avenue and Washington  Street in historic downtown Selma to announce the start of rebuilding Selma. It’s the ward of Selma City Councilman Michael Johnson.

“On behalf of the residents of Selma, adjacent business owners, and the Selma  City Council, we would like to thank Governor Kay Ivey and Director John Cooper for their favorable consideration of the needs of Selma and for funding the project,” said Selma Mayor James Perkins, Jr.  “I also thank Congresswoman Terri Sewell, the Selma City Council, Senators Katie Britt, Tommy Tuberville, State Senator Robert Stewart, and Rep. Prince Chestnut.”

Selma will receive $705,700 in federal funds for Phase I of the downtown streetscape improvements along Alabama Avenue.

“The catalytic projects to improve and preserve our historic downtown infrastructure align with the department’s priorities of economic recovery and revitalization as identified by residents,” Planning and Development Director, Danielle Wooten said.

Wooten encouraged citizens to continue to make private investments as the city works to secure public investments in the Queen City.