Abilene city council changes mind, gives support to income-based housing project downtown

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – The Abilene City Council has changed their mind and is now giving support to an income-based housing project proposed for downtown.

Overland Property Group approached council once again Thursday to seek their support for the project, Landmark on Cypress, which would bring 49 units to a historic building located at 301 Cypress Street.

“Landmark on Cypress would be an opportunity to bring mixed-income housing to Abilene’s downtown, contributing to Downtown Abilene’s revitalization efforts and goals,” Overland Property Group explains.

This housing project is designed to accommodate all income levels. A certain percentage of each of the 49 units will be available to the following income tiers

• $17,000 to $28,100 a year – 4 units available
• $28,200 to $46,700 – 8 units available
• $33,850 – $56,050 – 25 units available
• $56,000+ – 12 units available

Overland Property Group also plans to use this project as an opportunity to revitalize downtown while preserving some of Abilene’s history, as they would be seeking to make Landmark on Cypress a National Historic Landmark.

After hearing additional information on the project, city council members gave a near-unanimous vote in support, with councilmember Blaise Regan being the only vote against, citing negative feedback from the community.

“After going back to the other business owners, and saying, hey, does this change this for you (mixed use),” Regan explains. “Because we are conduits of business there, this is a letter of support, so we have to represent what the people want, and my by and large feedback has been no.”   

Since Landmark on Cypress now has support from the Abilene City Council, the Overland Property Group has a better chance at securing a grant from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs that would help fund the project.