The Selma City Council will consider approving the final draft of the Downtown Strategic Plan as a beginning step to reinvigorating life in downtown Selma. With a list of priority projects narrowed down by community input, Selma could begin to modify the heart of the city if the plan is approved by the council.
City staff hosted a meeting with Raimi and Associates to begin the Downtown Strategic Plan project. Stakeholder meetings, interviews led by Raimi and Associates, an in-person workshop, and a public open house allowed the community to participate in the planning process. Some of the presentations given to the community included an interactive design session and design boards which were used to gain participants’ feedback.
In July the information gathered during the planning process was condensed and presented to the City Council. Furthermore in October, a workshop with the Downtown Business Improvement District, Planning Commission, and City Council was held to present the draft version of the Downtown Strategic Plan.
“This plan is a comprehensive roadmap that outlines key goals, strategies, and priorities for revitalizing and developing downtown Selma,” reads the staff report. “It focuses on the unique needs and opportunities of the downtown area, setting a vision and priorities to guide future development and decision-making.”
The plan includes seven priority projects to revitalize downtown Selma; a core streetscape, a Second Street gateway, expanded food and beverage choices, safer streets and intersections, activation of the Union Pacific Right-of-Way, a playscape at Lincoln Park, and new development.
If the council approves the final draft of the Downtown Strategic Plan it will reportedly allow staff to move forward in executing the strategies envisioned while continuing to meet the needs of Downtown Selma.
The council will also consider approving a resolution to accept a grant deed for the development of Thompson Park on the corner of E. Saginaw Avenue and S. Thompson Avenue.
In 2022, the City began work with the respective property owner to accept the donation of the land for a 10-acre park in the southern region of the City of Selma. If the council approves the resolution on Monday night, the City will proceed to develop a community park on the property.
In addition, acceptance of the property would further meet the goals of the City’s General Plan to provide five acres of parks and open space for every 1,000 residents.
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