The Selma Times-Journal

Operation Facelift is under way.

The Historic Development Commission approved several projects Thursday that will help improve the appearance of the Riverview Historic District.

The Riverview District includes Alabama Avenue, King Street, Lamar Avenue, Lapsley Street, Pelham Street and Riverview Avenue in the southwestern portion of the city. The area is marked by the river, Satterfield Street and Selma Avenue.

The district also includes areas around the Vaughan T. Smitherman museum.

About 15 projects were approved by the commission Thursday, and they include new paint, pillar work, new shutters, wood work, brick work and yard work. Gail Coulson, vice president of the Riverview Neighborhood Association, said the projects will help fulfill some of the group&8217;s goals.

Other plans include neighborhood efforts, such as constructing basketball courts and parks.

To participate in Operation Facelift, residents of the district need to be a member of the Riverview Neighborhood Association

and attend one meeting. The association carries a membership fee of $10.

Participants will also need to help a neighbor with a project at least two times. This fosters friendships among neighbors &8212; a bonus, Coulson said.

Ora Nelson, one of the association&8217;s captains, said she would come to the district on weekends to visit decades ago, before she moved into the neighborhood.