“Something great is about to happen in Selma.”

Nearly 40 members of the community gathered in front of the construction site on Water Avenue Wednesday evening for the “soft opening” of the Selma Interpretive Center. The center is the second one of its kind to open in Alabama.

The center, which Selma Mayor George Evans said “still needs work,” will cost up to $35 million to fully renovate. Once the center is complete, it will include a theater, meeting and conference rooms and more exhibits on all three floors. Today, the public can view the “work in progress,” just in time for Jubilee.

Local dignitaries were proud to come out and show their support.

“All of the marches of the movement and all the people who took part in it, made a path to help me become a district attorney today,” said district attorney Michael Jackson. “Anything I could do to show my support, I will continue to do so.”

“This is a happy day,” said Susan Keith, city council Ward 2 representative. “Just a happy occasion for Selma.”

Theresa Hall, interpretive park ranger for Selma, expects a great crowd for Jubilee weekend.

“I think it will be a positive reaction for the public,” Hall said. “This center is a way to introduce people to the interpretive center, to promote the Selma-to-Montgomery trail and to help Selma also.”

With pictures of the voting rights movement and civil rights marches adorning the walls and touch screen “oral history stories” of activists and foot soldiers available for viewing, the project has been years in the making.

Gloria Nelson said she wanted to be “one of the first” to see the positive addition to Selma.

“I wanted to see what the workers had been working on,” Nelson said. “I’m glad to see something like this enhance our city.”

Visitors will be able to view the Interpretive Center throughout Jubilee.