Revitalization Near Capitol Steps to be More Pedestrian Friendly

Work in front of the Attorney General’s Office was on hold while the movie Selma filmed last week. But now, construction crews are back. They’re making the front of the Attorney General’s Office mirror what they’ve done in front of the Lurleen B. Wallace Building. 

 

“What we’re trying to create is more of a park-like setting, kind of like a front lawn if you will for the state capitol,” says Chris Conway, Director of Public Works. 

 

Crews have eliminated parking spots and part of the street in an attempt to create that lawn-feeling. Christy Carl is the Site Director for the Alabama Historical Commission and says there have been several changes to the west lawn. 

 

“A lot of times, the upgrades or updates to the Capitol occurred when they were adding on major additions,” she says. “In 1885, that was when the east wing was added.” 

 

Although no additions are being made to the Capitol building, the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March has prompted city leaders to make big changes to the area around it. Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange says the finished product will be more visual. 

 

“It is not the whole plan that was developed a number of years ago but it’s a really good start to be able to get Dexter Avenue such that we can really enjoy that, walkable and so that you can get a really nice picture frame view of the capitol.”

 

“It’s really inspired by Frederick Law Olmsted,” says Conway. “He was an architect who worked on the United States capitol grounds and this was in the spirit of what he would have done.”