The Selma Historic Development Commission met on Thursday to talk about an updated National Register nomination for the Water Avenue Historic District.

Collier Neely, the American Historic Commission’s National Register Coordinator said the effort update the Water Avenue district originally began in 1975, and was updated in 2005. This current update started in 2016.

Neely said a grant to survey an archaeological site on and under the Alabama River coincided with this update effort.

“It lays just off the bank of the former Confederate Naval Arsenal, which is a contributing building to the Water Avenue District,” he said adding that recent surveys show that this spot is eligible for the national register and the criteria is met.

He said the site creates a better understanding of the past, and that Selma’s history of decisive Civil War battles and the American Civil Rights movement along with the “wealth” of architecture make it a top candidate.

Dr. Jim Delgato, a consultant who has worked with other marine themed historical sites including Pearl Harbor and Alcatraz worked with the survey of this nominated area.

“It is truly an incredible importance,” he said. “Selma’s history to many of us is known for its history, but it also has a reputation among the diving community.”

One diver, Steve Phillips, opposed the nomination.

Phillips is a diver that was arrested in Selma in 2003 said he opposed the nomination saying that the historical commission does not have divers or historians and said that They are archaeologists who know nothing about diving or history.

“Archaeologists study prehistory and how to apply for grants. Money is their main interest, history and diving are not what they care about,” he said.

Heath Horton, who is associated with using metal detectors to find artifiacts, also spoke about the impact this could have with people whose hobby it is to dive and search for historical artifacts in the area claiming that his would stop not only their access to certain areas, but the tax income they would bring to Selma with their purchase of food and a place to stay the night.

No action was taken at the meeting by the commission due to lack of a quorum, but the next meeting will be in Montgomery at the Alabama National Review Board on Sept. 27 at 10:30 a.m.