The old YMCA building on Broad Street used to be an absolute classic.

Built in 1887, the building featured a roofed tower and two smaller towers on each side.

Unfortunately only the red brick faade on the second and third stories hint at its former greatness.

First Baptist leaders wish to tear it down and put in more parking for their elderly and disabled members.

Normally, that would be their right because they own the building. However, because the building sits inside Selma’s Historic District they do not have the authority to do so. The authority lays in the hands of The Historic Commission and Selma’s City Council. The Historic Commission and council denied permission to demolish the building.

In response, the church sued.

The City of Selma must preserve the right to enforce its laws by defending itself against the suit.

The City cannot bow to pressure simply because it might cost too much or because of popular opinion.

The church was willing to pay $175,000 for the building in 1996, now just eight years later, attorney John Kelly III describes the building as unsightly, decrepit, infested with termites and unsafe.

Our question is what happened? Did the church pay that much money for a building that is completely unsuitable for anything ? Or did they simply allow an already aging building

to fall into complete disrepair?

Kelly has said that federal law places the burden of proof on the government to explain why the government has a compelling interest in saving the building.

Maybe historic preservation will be considered a compelling interest, maybe not, but we hope neither side will have to find out.

An offer has been made on the building, but church leaders say it is entirely too low.

In total, it would amount to more than $100,000 less than the church paid. But what would be a fair price for an unsightly, decrepit, infested with termites and unsafe building?

The offer came from a New Orleans couple which amounted to $20,000 up front and $45,000 after five years based on obtaining federal funding.

Church officials have said they do not consider that amount a legitimate offer, however, there may be a compromise.

If the city decides to fight the suit, the city’s legal fees will be substantial.

Assuming Kelly does not work pro bono, the church’s fees will be considerable as well.

What if, instead of investing those funds in a lawsuit, both parties could put those monies toward saving the building?

Whatever the solution is, we hope the city and the church can reach it peacefully without division and rancor.

Tim Bjelke said it best, “Yeah the building’s in bad shape but that’s no excuse for losing something valuable.

The St. James was in terrible shape and the whole community pulled together and saved it.”

We believe now is the time to do so again.

Let us not lose another piece of Selma’s history.