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The City of Selma is seeking proposals for the sale and redevelopment of Dallas Academy. 

The City owns the vacant building that was damaged by a fire on Oct. 15, 2017. This building is a contributing property to Selma’s “Old Town Historic District” listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Bids officially will be taken on July 15.

According to the Rural Southwest Alabama website, the Dallas Academy building was constructed around 1889 as a private school funded by the Ladies Education Society of Selma to educate the sons and daughters of Selma’s wealthy citizens. The building later became Selma’s first public school before closing in the early 1960s.

Former Selma City Councilwoman Susan Youngblood said the historic building can be repaired. 

“Everyone who cares about Dallas Academy has the opportunity to take ownership,” Youngblood said. “If everyone who feels so strongly got together, formed a 501(c)3, or even joined the Historic Society and got them to do a special account for DA, and raised money to get this building restored to its former glory, it could be.”

Several posts on Social media, including one from Sonny Nelson, wondered if the city collected insurance money for the damage to the building. Carmichael said the possibility exists.

“That’s a question we have that’s still out there for Zeta insurance payments, but the city has not taken the initiative to fix it,” Carmichael said. “Either way, the city did fix the fire damage, as far as I know.”

Some requirements on the sale of the property will be limited to include minimum bid and opportunity for inspection. The bidder must agree with the intention of relying upon its own investigation and review of the physical, environmental, and economic use, compliance, and legal conditions of the Property.

All proposals will be reviewed by the Selma City Council on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., within the Council Chamber. All information submitted may be used in the evaluation of a proposal. 

Nine copies of each proposal should be submitted in person or mailed to the Selma City Clerk’s Office no later than 4 p.m. July 15 and should be addressed as follows: Mrs. Ivy Harrison City Clerk, City of Selma, 222 Broad Street, Selma, AL 36701.