Preservation VS Development: T&P Warehouse owner seeks to make changes to historic structure

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – It’s a fight between preserving history and making upgrades to adjust to modern times. The owner of the T&P Warehouse along North 1st Street addressed the Abilene Landmarks Commission recently about making changes to the old structure that would boost the appeal for his lessees.

The T&P Warehouse, also known as the building with the big flamingo in front of it, along North 1st Street, has been a downtown Abilene icon for many years, but that’s exactly what the owner of the building, Charlie Wolfe, is contending with in his plans for modernization of the structure. Wolfe went before the Abilene Landmarks Commission at its most recent meeting to discuss updates to the old building that would include a project for a large patio structure with an ADA-compliant ramp on the west end of the building that mirrors the structure that exists on the building’s east end. With the building only recently gaining a historical structure moniker, Wolfe says that label has only hindered progress for refurbishment.

“That building has had multiple restaurants that have failed. It has gotten a bad rep. It is getting impossible to rent out. This whole historical mess got handed into my lap a year or so ago when the city thought they were doing me a favor by including this building in the historical thing.”

During the meeting, members of the Abilene Landmarks Commission also heard from local historians and other relevant personnel who were experts on this particular subject matter on how to properly move forward with changes like these. Josh Black, the Architect Representative for Abilene Landmarks Commission, was one of those individuals who spoke and highlighted how the initial proposition needed some work before moving forward.

“We’re not planning zoning. We don’t have to worry about the tonnage of weight that’s going on there. ADA standards or safety standards, and fall standards. There’s so much involved in it. It can be done in a much better way. The way it’s presented right now violates those standards. And I recommend that you not approve it as it’s presented right now.”

With so many factors to consider, the landmarks commission had its own concerns regarding the proposed project. Architect Representative for the Abilene Preservation League, Brandon Young, spoke about how more information and designs would be needed before the Landmark Commission could consider approving the owner’s proposed project.

“I don’t think it’s our job to solve the design problem, but I do think what we’re highlighting through conversation is there’s a need for some exploration of design options, because I think for us to say there’s one option only and that’s to do this or to do nothing, that’s probably shortsighted.”

Ultimately, the Landmarks Commission did approve some minor refurbishment for an awning on the T&P Warehouses’ western end but decided to table many of the other facets of the project and advised the owner to put together a more developed plan with an architect who has experience in historical preservation.