I-85 may be coming Selma’s way, and Mayor James Perkins Jr. wants the City Council to support it. In writing.

At Thursday’s work session Perkins handed out a resolution that stated formal support for a proposed corridor of I-85 that would run through both Craig Field and South Dallas Industrial Park. He said that he wanted the council to go on record in support of the corridor.

Holding up a map of the area surrounding Selma, Perkins showed the council exactly where the proposed corridor would be placed.

On the map, the corridor extended west from Hope Hull and parallel to Highway 80. As Highway 80 curved to the north so did the corridor, crossing the Alabama River southwest of Selma and joining Highway 80 near its intersection with Highway 14. It then continued west into Mississippi.

Perkins added that this wasn’t the only option for the corridor. Another would probably place it north of Highland Ave. and Perkins said that this would cause Selma to lose some of the economic benefits that it could gain with the option depicted on the map.

Perkins added if the corridor was built through Craig Field and South Dallas Industrial Park then it would only take 30 minutes to get to Montgomery. Also, people would be able to ride bicycles on Highway 80 without fear of being run over by 18-wheelers.

Councilwoman Nancy Sewell said that their greatest competition for the corridor would be from Prattville.

Perkins responded by saying if the council worked together then they could get the I-85 corridor in the desired area.

In other matters the council:

President George Evans said that the council would form a plan soon to implement the summer job program.

Evans said that taking a percentage from each member wouldn’t be fair since some currently have more money than others.

Councilwoman Bennie Ruth Crenshaw said that she would make a motion at Monday’s meeting to ensure in next year’s budget that any discrepancies are corrected.

The council then adjourned the meeting and entered executive session.