Development in Abilene, Texas facts for kids

Downtown Abilene skyline.

Abilene, Texas, is a growing city that has become a main spot for shopping, homes, businesses, and medical care in the surrounding "Big Country" area. Since 2007, the city has seen many big projects, making it even better. Most of this new growth is happening in four main areas: the southwest (near Southwest Drive, Catclaw Drive, and Buffalo Gap Road), the south (along Buffalo Gap Road and US Highway 83/84), the southeast (around Loop 322 and Oldham Lane), and the northeast (near State Highway 351 and Interstate 20). These areas are getting new homes, shops, and businesses.

Many groups help Abilene grow, like the City Council, the Development Corporation of Abilene (DCOA), and the Abilene Chamber of Commerce. There's also a special group called the [Downtown Abilene Initiative] that is working to make Downtown Abilene even better. They are fixing up streets and buildings to bring more life to the city center.

Downtown Abilene: A Growing Hub

Downtown Abilene is becoming lively again thanks to local efforts and the [Downtown Abilene Initiative]. There are plans to build a new hotel near the Abilene Convention Center. This will make it easier for visitors to stay and enjoy the city. The city council is working with private companies to make these big projects happen.

In 2019, the city created a special group called the Abilene Convention Center Hotel Development Corporation. This group is in charge of planning and building the new hotel. They are working with a company called Garfield Public/Private to get the project done. The city is only paying a small part of the total cost, with most of the money coming from other sources.

East Highway 80 splits Downtown Abilene into two cool areas. The North district has the Abilene Convention Center and lots of businesses. The South district, called the SoDA District (South of Downtown Abilene), has tall buildings, government offices, and a fun nightlife.

The area around Pine Street is also growing fast. This is because the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and Hendrick Hospital have expanded there. These two big places connect the Ambler Avenue area to Downtown.

Downtown Shops and Fun Places

• The Historic Paramount Theatre
• Antique Station
• Lone Star Dry Goods
• Frontier Texas!
• King's Barbers
• National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature (NICCL)
• The Grace Museum
• Abilene Farmers' Market
• Texas Star Trading Co.
• Betty & June
• Loft on 6th
• Wild Ones Boutique

Downtown Homes

• Parramore Square - New townhomes and patio homes in an old neighborhood near Downtown.
• Hotel Wooten
• Windsor Hotel

Downtown Food and Drinks

• Beehive Saloon
• The Local - Taquería
• Sockdolager Brewing Company
• Pappy Slokum Brewery
• The Mill Winery
• Amendment 21
• Vagabond Pizza
• Grain Theory Brewing Co. - A new brewery planned for Pine Street, with a boutique, rooftop bar, and club.
• Fat Boss's
• 1708 Coffee Lounge
• McKay's Bakery
• Monk's Coffee
• Cypress Street Station
• Bogie's Downtown Deli
• The Flour Shop Bakery
• JC's Lighthouse Chocolates and Food Park

Southwest Abilene: Shopping and Living

The southwest part of Abilene is a major spot for new shops and businesses. Along Southwest Drive, Ridgemont Drive, and Buffalo Gap Road, many new stores, hotels, and restaurants have opened. This area also has new homes, often close to Rebecca Lane.

Roads in this area have been improved to handle all the new traffic. For example, Southwest Drive was made wider, and Catclaw Drive was rebuilt. These changes help people get around easily.

Southwest Drive and Catclaw Drive are now home to many new businesses, including national chains that are new to Abilene. Two new shopping centers, Shops at Abilene and Abilene Marketplace, have opened since 2005. The Mall of Abilene, built in 1979, continues to be a big shopping draw in this area.

Southwest Shops

• Shops at Abilene - A shopping center with stores like Bed Bath & Beyond, Michael's, Ross, PetSmart, Payless ShoeSource, James Avery, and Old Navy.
• Abilene Marketplace - Home to Kohl's, a department store, with space for more shops.
• The Shops at Abilene Village - Started in 2018, this center includes Academy Sports + Outdoors, Burlington, PetCo, Party City, Cheddar's, and Panera Bread.
• Ashley's Furniture Homestore
• Lithia Toyota of Abilene - A car dealership that moved to a new spot.
• New stores at Park Central, Plaza at Park Central, and Catclaw Corner shopping centers.
• OrangeTheory Fitness - On Catclaw Drive.

Southwest Hotels

• MCM Elegante Suites - A full-service hotel near the Mall of Abilene.
• Courtyard by Marriott - Also near the Mall of Abilene.
• Hilton Garden Inn - Near the Mall of Abilene.
• Sleep Inn - On S Danville Drive.
• Holiday Inn Express - On Catclaw Drive.
• Wingate Inn & Suites - On Catclaw Drive.
• La Quinta Inn & Suites - On Catclaw Drive.
• Candlewood Suites - An extended-stay hotel on Catclaw Drive.

Southwest Restaurants

• Red Robin - Located at Shops at Abilene.
• Taylor County Taphouse - On Catclaw Drive.
• Cold Stone Creamery - Inside Shops at Abilene.
• Rosa's Café & Tortilla Factory
• Chick-Fil-A
• Logan's Roadhouse
• Jason's Deli - At Catclaw Corner.
• Buffet City - At Park Central.

Southwest Homes

• The Reserve at Abilene - New apartments near the shopping areas.
• Hampton Hills - A newer neighborhood close to Dyess AFB.
• Sandy Creek addition - A small community also near Dyess AFB.
• Butterfield Meadows - A planned community with offices, shops, and homes.
• Garden Grove - Small homes along Garden Grove Lane.
• Silver Oaks - Off Buffalo Gap Road.
• Greystone Estates - A new neighborhood at the south end of Catclaw Drive.
• Waterside - An upscale, private community off Buffalo Gap Road.
• The Villages at Wyndham - Next to Waterside, with green spaces and easy access to medical and shopping areas.

South Abilene: New Neighborhoods

Many new neighborhoods have popped up in the southern part of Abilene, even outside the city limits. These homes are often accessed by Buffalo Gap Road and US Highway 83/84. This growth shows that more people want to live in open spaces, both in the city and in the suburbs.

Buffalo Gap Road Neighborhoods

• Southern Meadows (Rio Mesa) - Almost full.
• Indian Trails - Has a few houses.
• Bella Vista Estates - A wealthier neighborhood.
• Tuscany Trails - Off Beltway South.

US Highway 83/84 Neighborhoods

• Skyline Estates - A small neighborhood.
• Saddle Creek Estates - A wealthier neighborhood that has grown since the 1990s.
• Lakes at Saddle Creek - Fully developed by 2008.
• Mountain Shadows Ranch - A wealthier neighborhood created in 2006.
• Remington Estates - An average-class community, almost full.
• Deer Valley Estates - Off US 83/84.
• Mountain Meadow - Near Buffalo Gap, Texas.
• Cedar Hills Lake - On Bell Plains Road.
• The Canyons - Off County Road 127.
• Callahan Divide - Off US 83/84.
• Vista Del Sol - Near Steamboat Mountain.

Southeast Abilene: Growing Fast

The southeast part of Abilene, around Loop 322, is quickly becoming a key area for new development. While it currently has a family entertainment center, a small shopping area, a restaurant, and a gas station, it's expected to grow much more. This area is already a big spot for new homes, with many neighborhoods breaking ground around Loop 322 and along Oldham Lane/FM 1750. As more businesses open, the southeast could become like the southwest area, but it's still in its early stages.

Southeast Businesses and Fun

• Prime Time Family Entertainment Center - A 15-acre (61,000 m²) family fun spot with unique activities.
• Skyline Oven & Grill - Inside Prime Time Family Entertainment Center.
• Lytle Land & Cattle Co - A local restaurant known for grilled steaks and seafood.
• The Winery at Willow Creek - A local winery, great for events.
• Lone Star Outpost Retail Center - A small shopping area with local businesses.
• Copper Creek Restaurant - An upscale restaurant with live music.
• Cisco College - A regional college offering associate degrees.
• Texas State Technical College - Abilene Industrial Technology Center, built in 2018.
• Dodge Jones Youth Sports Center - Planned to open in November 2019.
• Abilene Zoo - One of Abilene's biggest attractions.
• Taylor County Expo Center - A place for rodeos and the West Texas Fair, currently being updated.
• Shotwell Stadium - A football stadium owned by Abilene ISD that holds 15,000 people.
• Abilene Country Club

Southeast Homes Near Loop 322

• Oldham Oaks - A neighborhood on Oldham Lane.
• Lone Star Ranch - A neighborhood off Loop 322, with many homes already built.
• Vaquero Ranch - An upscale, private community with a Spanish theme.
• Lytle South addition - An expansion of the Lytle South neighborhood.
• Tuscany Village - A fenced community of duplexes.
• Indian Wells - A brick-home neighborhood off Oldham Lane.
• Parkside Place - The largest neighborhood in the area, with affordable homes.

Southeast Homes Along FM 1750

• Colonial Hills - A large-lot neighborhood started in 2002.
• Blackhawk - A newer development similar to Colonial Hills with large lots.
• Pack Saddle Pass - An open-air neighborhood with many lots still available.
• Pack Saddle Farms - Very similar to Pack Saddle Pass, across the street.
• Seven Winds - South of Pack Saddle Pass, with more compact homes but big backyards.
• Southwind Estates - A neighborhood with larger homes off Clark Road.

Northeast Abilene: Fast Growth

The northeast part of Abilene, along State Highway 351 and near I-20, has seen rapid growth since the year 2000. The Heritage Parks neighborhood, which started in the 1980s, has expanded a lot. A new community and apartment complex have also begun. A Wal-Mart Supercenter moved into the area, bringing more businesses with it. A major developer, Kenneth Musgrave, has also created a new commercial area here.

Northeast Businesses

• Wal-Mart Supercenter - A large store that replaced an older Wal-Mart.
• Chili's - Located in front of the Wal-Mart Supercenter.
• Cracker Barrel - At the corner of SH 351 and I-20, very popular when it opened.
• Abilene Corners Shopping Center - Next to Wal-Mart Supercenter, includes Dollar Tree and Cato Fashions.
• Wal-Mart strip mall - Has stores like GameStop plus Movies Too, Sally Beauty Supply, and Radio Shack.
• Holiday Inn Express - Built before the recent big growth.
• Comfort Suites - Near Enterprise Dr. and I-20.
• A₂Z Self Storage - Near Heritage Parks.
• Sleep Inn - Under construction off West Lake Rd.
• Enterprise Plaza - A planned commercial area with Lowe's, a Residence Inn, and a Hilton Homewood Suites. Wendy's and a seafood restaurant are also planned.
• McGavock Nissan - A car dealership that moved.

Northeast Homes

• Heritage Parks - A neighborhood that started in the 1980s and grew quickly in the 2000s.
• The Enclave - A private community with unique homes, branching off Heritage Parks.
• The Residence at Heritage Parks - A new apartment complex under construction.
• The Grove - Apartments aimed at students from Abilene Christian University.
• Napa Cottages - Single-family homes for ACU students.

Industrial and Business Parks

These parks are special areas set up for businesses and factories. They have all the necessary services like water, electricity, and roads.

[Five Points Business Park]

This is a huge 800-acre industrial park. It's easy to get to from Interstate 20 and the Union Pacific Railroad, and it's only 15 minutes from the Abilene Regional Airport. It has all the main services needed for businesses. Some companies already here include Broadwind Towers, Texas Healthcare Linen, TxDOT, and Atmos Energy. There's still lots of space for more businesses.

[Access Business Park]

This business park was announced in 2018. It's a high-end industrial area located just south of I-20 and across from Abilene Regional Airport (ABI). It has excellent services like electricity, natural gas, and water. Currently, one business known as "Project Ladybug" is located here.