While progress has been made on the amphitheater on Water Avenue, a few road bumps have been encountered along the way. 

Henry Thompson with city planning and development said construction is closing in on phase one of the project, but because of severe rain and other weather issues, construction is a month behind schedule.

“The rain has slowed things up considerably,” Thompson said. “It’s given us somewhat of a large roadblock in the project.”

As of now, Thompson said two firewalls are being completed, which separate the staging area and the beams for the roof, are being place in.

After phase one is completed, which Thompson anticipates will be at the end of the month, bids will be made for phases two and three.

“The second phase is constructing the stage, which will be in the center of the amphitheater,” Thompson explained. “After that we’ll do phase three and complete the audience area and the concessions.”

Thompson explained that because the building already existed, the foundation of the amphitheater was already present.

“They’re doing an adapted reuse of the building because it was a historical depot,” he said.

And although weather has delayed progress on the construction, Thompson said everything else has run relatively smoothly.

“The city is very excited about seeing the project come to fruition because it’s a large part of the park,” he said.

The amphitheater will serve as a focal point in a final vision of downtown Selma becoming an entertainment district.

Earl Goodson with Frasier Ousley Construction said visible progress is being made, and once phase one is completed and bids are sent out, everything should be on track.

“We’re only in phase one but we expect that to be wrapped up soon,” he said.

Thompson said he foresees the entire amphitheater being completed and ready for use by late fall or early winter this year.