LIGHTING SELMA SEEKS TO ILLUMINATE THE EDMUND PETTUS BRIDGE
in a way that honors its historic significance while helping spark renewed energy across downtown Selma. This project is about more than remembrance and recognition; it's about creating a brighter, more connected future for our community.
What began as an idea for Selma is closer than ever to becoming a reality. Years of community support, donated expertise, and dedicated partnerships have brought us to this moment. Now, we’re working toward the final step: turning on the lights.
Our Journey
A TIMELINE OF PROGRESS
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2015 - 2017
In 2015, the Edmund Pettus Bridge once again stood in the national spotlight. The bridge was theatrically illuminated in connection with the film Selma, offering a powerful glimpse of what permanent lighting could bring to this historic landmark. That same year, President Barack Obama traveled to Selma for the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, delivering remarks at the foot of the bridge on March 7 before joining Congressman John Lewis, former President George W. Bush, and others in a commemorative walk across it.
Inspired by the possibilities, a group of local citizens gathered at the Bridgetender’s House on August 4, 2017, to explore what it would take to illuminate the bridge permanently. From those early conversations, the vision that would become Lighting Selma began to take shape.
2018-2020
In 2018, the Selma Redevelopment Authority invited Ken Douglas, Senior Principal and Lead Designer at HLB Lighting, to Selma to explore the possibility of permanently illuminating the Edmund Pettus Bridge. With experience designing lighting for national monuments and historic bridges, Douglas met with community leaders and government officials to better understand the bridge, its significance, and what the project would require.
Over the next two years, those conversations developed into a serious plan. Technical research, design discussions, and partnerships began laying the groundwork to transform the original idea into an achievable project.
2020 - Present
In 2020, amid a national reckoning over racial injustice following the murder of George Floyd, HLB Lighting made the Edmund Pettus Bridge project a priority, offering its design work pro bono as a contribution toward remembrance, reflection, and racial healing. HLB then brought additional partners to the project, including Parsons Corporation, Lumenpulse, ETC, and Barbizon, whose expertise and donated services helped move the vision closer to reality. Together with growing community support, these partnerships have completed much of the planning, design, and engineering needed for the project.
Today, Lighting Selma is closer than ever to turning on the lights. The focus now is securing the remaining funding for equipment and installation and bringing this years-long vision to life.
Every Moment Adds to the Story
Take a closer look. Click any image below to explore just a few of the moments that have shaped Selma's story.
