The Selma City Council moved forward with two measures Tuesday that would create new names for portions of Selma. 

The first measure officially approved the renaming of a portion of Laspley Street to Boynton Street. The portion starts at J.L. Chestnut Boulevard and continues to Lapsley’s intersection with First Avenue. The second placed a resolution on first reading that would make final revisions to the city’s arts and entertainment district after months of discussions between council president Corey Bowie and business owners.

With the street naming receiving final approval, in the form of a resolution, city attorney Jimmy Nunn said the legal process is essentially over. Nunn said the city would now begin looking into logistical issues, such as how much street signs would cost and notifying Lapsley Street residents of the change.

“Basically the only thing left is signs,” Nunn said.

The city also plans to use a piece of city property near R.B. Hudson Middle School as a memorial for prominent civil rights activists, such as Amelia Boynton.

Tuesday’s vote marks the end of a several-year-long process that heated up in recent months. Ward 7 councilwoman Bennie Ruth Crenshaw initially proposed an entire renaming of Lapsley for Amelia Boynton, but compromised after multiple council members were hesitant about the idea.

A few miles away from the future Boynton Street, a portion of downtown Selma could also receive a new name — The Water Avenue Arts and Entertainment District. The district spans the length of Water Avenue from Arts Revive to the Old Depot Museum.

Tuesday’s vote moved forward with several logistical rules for the entertainment district. Operating hours would be 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., drugs would be prohibited, Selma mayors would have the authority to extend hours and signs would be posted at roadway entry points, according to the amended ordinance.

The arts and entertainment district allows open consumption of alcohol only within its limits during operating hours.

Bowie said the arts and entertainment district is technically in place, but some final logistical details need to be sorted out, such as purchasing uniform cups for all entertainment district establishments. Uniform cups are required under the city’s ordinance.

“We’re in the process of sorting everything out now,” Bowie said. “Basically by next council meeting it would be official.”