Good Samaritan Hospital might be getting a makeover sometime soon. Though the building had been abandoned for quite some time, Selma Mayor George Evans said several organizations are interested in taking it over.

At a Selma City Council work session Thursday, the mayor said that the building is a historical part of Selma, and he wants to do whatever he can to help revitalize it. The hospital is known for treating those who were brutally beaten in 1965 during what came to be known as Bloody Sunday.

Evans said that currently the city does not own the building, the state does, but that if the city can put together a plan for its use, the state might be willing to give it to the city.

We know that the building would need renovating and likely a lot of work done to get it in operating condition, but we are happy to see that it is being discussed and that some people are interested in working with the city to make something happen.

So many people in Selma knew that hospital while it was in operation, and would like to see it come back to life. Councilwoman Bennie Ruth Crenshaw said that at one point in time, there was a plan in place to turn the hospital into a rural health center.

We are for anything that could help the community and revitalizing the hospital has tremendous potential. Crenshaw said she hopes they can find the plans from years ago and consider again turning the hospital into a rural health center.

Evans said the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs seems to be willing to help fund the project if a plan is put in place, and although it’s only an idea right now, we hope it becomes a reality that can benefit those that could use it the most.