The decision to tear down a historic building is never easy. Such is the case with the old YMCA building in downtown Selma.

Many people in Selma have fond memories of the building and fear tearing it down is an example of the city turning its back on a local treasure. Old photographs of the building in its prime are quite impressive. There certainly aren’t many structures like the old YMCA in small towns like Selma.

However, at some point we have to consider the risks. Engineers have pointed out in their reports saving the building could be the equivalent of throwing money down the drain. Some have even suggested the structure is too far gone to even try.

Thursday, a decision was made to give those who want to save the building one last chance to preserve this piece of Selma history. We hope their efforts prove to be successful. But if they are not, the city will have a relatively simple choice to make.

It is a shame the city will likely lose one of its downtown treasures — especially when these problems could have been avoided with maintenance decades ago.

One by one Selma’s historic downtown structures are crumbling to the ground.

Hopefully, the old YMCA can serve as a wake up call for everyone to keep a close eye on some of our other buildings. With periodic checks, there will be more time to secure funding and eliminate this scenario.