By Adam Dodson | The Selma Times-Journal

Residents and concerned individuals have started a campaign to get the Dallas Academy building some necessary upgrades that are long overdue, and were threatening the sustainability of the arts programs that take place inside the old schoolhouse.

The fundraising campaign, which is being facilitated by tenant Vicky Stoudenmire, is aimed toward using the money to fix the broken and faulty drain pipes that cover the perimeter of the building. According to Stoudenmire, the problem has existed for around 10 years. But they have had difficulties in the past with raising awareness.

Because of the useless drain pipes, water backs up into the building, causing leaks and wood to rot, which needs to be replaced.

The Dallas Academy building, known for its ceramics program and summer art camp, is now in danger of losing both programs if the staff and residents do not find a way to fix the issue.

However, they have made some headway thanks to a GoFundMe page started by Stoudenmire. Titled “Repair the Dallas Academy Building,” the page has been shared more than 200 times and raised $1,350 dollars in less than two weeks. According to Stoudenmire, other people have made personal donations and fundraisers are planned for the near future. The goal for the page is $25,000.

To Stoudenmire and others in the community, the Dallas Academy building represents the old-school classic architecture that cannot be replicated in today’s society.

“It is what Selma means to me. Our architecture reflects our prosperous times. It is so rich and sometimes we take it for granted,” Stoudenmire said. “We don’t have buildings like this anymore.”

In a letter written by Stoudenmire to the Selma City Council earlier this year, she pointed out the ceramics program, with a budget of around $16,000 per year, brings in around $21,000 a year.

Stoundemire believes that the building and the programs significantly contribute to Selma’s “great image.”

Furthermore, she believes that if someone is passionate about something, they should take action.

“The ceramics program has been around forever. For the money you spend, we have the best arts program out there. It would be irresponsible to lose this,” Stoudenmire said. “People may ask ‘why should we act,’ because it is the city’s responsibility. But, we are the city. If we want something done, we need to do it, and anything helps.”

Built in the 1890s, the Dallas Academy building is no stranger to unfortunate happenings.

In October 2017, an arsonist allegedly set the building on fire, and most of the damage took place in a painting room in the basement. Staff members and volunteers feared the building would be done for good.

Luckily for them, the building is not unfixable, but they have yet to be permitted back inside the facility for operations. This is because additional analysis is still needed. The delay in accessibility to the building has nothing to do with the water damage taken.

According to Stoudenmire, the water damage is concealed to perimeter areas where the water back-up was the worst, and that the room that received the worst of it is designated as a closet anyways.

A set date is not known for when they will be allowed to conduct normal operations inside the building once again.

Stoudenmire says that the $1,350 raised so far is a “good start,” but will continue to keep working hard to assure the re-opening of the Dallas Academy building, and all donations help.

It is not yet known when the fundraisers will happen, or what they will consist of. According to Stoudenmire, she is planning a lunch as well as another event.

With the Queen Anne-style and Victorian exterior, the Dallas Academy building is considered one of a handful of buildings left in Alabama with this look and design.