Members of the Selma Downtown Redevelopment Authority met in the Selma City Council Chambers Thursday to discuss plans for continued development of Phoenix Park, the Riverfront Park, Water Avenue and Broad Street.

Office of Planning and Development director Charlotte Griffeth, said it’s imperative economic development standards and codes be met while projects are underway.

“We’ve ordered benches, trash cans, bicycle racks and water fountains for possible donor names to be inscribed on them for Riverfront Park,” Griffeth said. “The Selma-Dallas County Health Alliance and Alabama Power Company have purchased the lights for the park. Alabama Power has also bought markers and kiosks for the walking trail. We want to talk with Attorney Nunn and officers to discuss the reality of these projects.”

Selma Mayor George Evans said in order for the projects to move forward as planned, it will take a team effort.

“Our downtown area is really booming and this team needs to help us make a decision and give us input on what our next step will be,” Evans said. “It’s going to take people working together and it will take some time.”

And with the positive responses to the recent opening of Phoenix Park, Evans said some structurally sound and fair guidelines should be in place concerning its upkeep.

“Individuals already want to go inside Phoenix Park,” Evans said. “Maybe the council needs to revisit and rewrite ordinances if necessary. It’s a nice and beautiful area that we want to keep as such. We even need to look at other buildings downtown to see if they’re meeting guidelines.”

Evans put forth the idea the park, as an effort to rebuild downtown, might be an ideal place to watch movies.

“People can bring lawn chairs and sit and watch the movie,” Evans said. “We have a beautiful downtown and the committee needs to be involved in the process in order to really make the area flourish and grow.

ArtsRevive president Fran Pearce said the city should continue to look for the positives during the rebuilding process.

“Let’s look at that first and then build from there,” Pearce said. “I want the Riverfront to be a place I can take the grandchildren and it not be a place I don’t feel comfortable in taking them.”