Vision for Selmont

By Katie Nichols (Contact) | Selma Times-Journal

Published Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Local citizens gathered with state and federal officials Tuesday evening to hear about the future of 48 underground storage tanks scattered from Selma to Montgomery. The night’s focus was on Selmont, but some attendees at Beloved Apostolic Church of God, 700 Roosevelt St., were more involved than they originally thought.

“Tonight we are going through a process to understand what the residents of this area want to see in the future,” Jim Waddell, Army Corps of Engineers, said. “We want to see the community’s ideas and if they will follow through with them before we do anything with underground storage tanks.”

The hands-on approach brought out the artist in everyone. Participants first thought of their own personal ideas of a perfect community. That vision combined with others’ and progressed into how the individual person can contribute to this area.

“We want you to draw that vision,” Waddell said. “Then you will share and connect that with others. Then, you integrate these visions into community action plans.”

Old, young, locals and visitors took up markers and set out to draw their idyllic Selmont.

Recurring themes popped up after the first few presenters — playgrounds, bike trails, senior care centers.

Waddell told everyone to not only include their ideas, but also how they would play a role in the groundwork.

Abina Billups visualized a complete revitalization of U.S. Highway 80 while John Rankin focused on a drug store and doctor’s office in Selmont.

Councilwoman Susan Keith looked at making the highway beautiful and eco-friendly.

Others saw parks where children and adults could enjoy the day or sidewalks along the highway.

Larry Bryant, Alabama Department of Environmental Management, explained the purpose of Tuesday night’s event.

“When we are looking at utilizing an old location, we look at what can go there,” he said. “We assess these pictures and look at what you want and what is feasible.”

The Multi Vision Integration to Action meeting will continue Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Beloved Apostolic Church of God. The meeting will look more into the location of the underground storage tanks and how the ideas can help.

“What I like about [Tuesday’s] drawings is that everyone is focused on the idea of family and community,” Waddell said. “Now, everyone must keep focused to what must be done.”

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