Faith-based garage proposed for Buffalo Gap Road receives support and concern from community

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – A proposal to bring a faith-based garage to Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene is drawing both support and concern from the community as new information was made public on the project on this week.

Christian Brothers Automotive has proposed opening a new garage on the 6600 block of Buffalo Gap Road.

During a city council meeting Thursday, Christian Brothers Automotive Chief Development Officer Michael Suttle shared his plans for rezoning property off on Buffalo Gap Road to accommodate the garage, which he says will be run by a family with local connections.

“We are based in Houston, and we’ve been open since 1982. We have over 300 locations that are all owned by people who are citizens in the small business community of small business owners. We are building an automotive facility for a Houston family that is relocating to Abilene. They are both ACU graduates; our facilities are fantastic,” Suttle said.

Kevin Phillips, a Coleman man who works in Abilene, was at Thursday’s meeting to express his support of Christian Brothers Automotive on Buffalo Gap Road.

“Their commitment to their community is unrivaled as to their customer service. This is not a hotrod shop; this is first-class facilities giving first-class service,” Phillips said.

Abigail, a Dallas native and now a Clyde resident, also shared her support for Christian Brothers Automotive. She said that when she moved to Abilene for college, her parents were worried about her car breaking down with nowhere safe for her to go, and she believes other parents have similar worries for students.

“Having a safe, reliable, efficient place, I know, would’ve brought a lot of comfort. I have worked in these universities as a recruiter, and I’ve had numerous conversations with parents,” Abigail said.

Abigail added that when she tried to use local auto shops, most were full and told her she would have to wait at least a week because there was no where else to go.

However, the proposed garage doesn’t come without concern.

At a Planning and Zoning meeting earlier this month, resident Kent Mustoe suggested a garage may not be the best fit for this area.

“This doesn’t seem like the right fit for a garage. Retail in this area seems perfectly fine, but as a resident right behind there, I know there’s going to be extra noise pollution, which we’re very concerned about. Not to mention lighten up and just more if it’s going to be a garage,” Mustoe said.

According to Christian Brothers Automotive, they are a highly rated, faith-based automotive franchise with a unique financial model.

Abilene City Council will have two more hearings on the proposed garage before they make a final decision on the project.