SELMA, Ala. — U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell announced a $1.6 million federal investment Friday to help revitalize 14 buildings along Alabama Avenue in downtown Selma, highlighting funding approved earlier this year.
The $1,656,000 allocation will go to the city for structural assessments, renovations and conversion of existing buildings, according to Sewell’s office. The project is intended to support downtown revitalization.
“I just presented a check for $1.6 million to revitalize Selma’s Alabama Avenue!” Sewell said in a social media post Friday. “This investment will help support our businesses and create a more welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike.”
The check presentation follows congressional approval of the funding through the fiscal 2026 appropriations process. Sewell’s office announced Feb. 6 that the money had been signed into law as part of a package providing nearly $9.6 million for 14 projects across Alabama’s 7th Congressional District.
The Alabama Avenue allocation is separate from two other Selma projects included in that package: $250,000 for improvements at Craig Field Airport and $500,000 for Auburn University to construct 10 prototype homes designed to withstand extreme weather.
Sewell’s project description does not identify the individual Alabama Avenue buildings, specify their future uses or provide a construction timeline.
The announcement comes as Selma prepares for a separate downtown planning effort next month. Main Street Alabama will send a five-member resource team to the city Nov. 4-6 to work with Selma Main Street on revitalization priorities, according to an announcement published by The Selma Times-Journal.
Residents can share ideas during a community vision and asset mapping session Nov. 4 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at George Evans Reception Hall, 2 Lawrence St. The team’s work will address downtown design, promotion, local organization and economic development, with a strategic plan expected about six weeks after the visit.