City of Abilene looking to approve RV housing in response to AI data center boom

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – The City of Abilene is looking to approve more RV housing in response to a boom in workers for the AI data center project north of town.

During Thursday’s meeting, council members gave initial approval to two proposed RV parks – one on the 1700 block of East Lowden Street and the other 4051 West Lake Road – that would help resolve an issue with a high demand for housing.

City council members were a little reluctant to pass the projects due to the uncertainty of the future with the influx of AI workers, Blaise Regan saying he’s thinking about the possibility of when “the bottom falls out, down the road.”

These proposed RV parks, if approved, would be extended stay facilities and feature upgraded amenities such as walking trails and ponds to hopefully make them attractive and sustainable long-term.

“Us having empty RV parks all over Abilene in 5 to 6 years [is not ideal], so I appreciate that you came with a little bit better plan,” Mayor Weldon Hurt said to project developers.

Two residents who live near the proposed RV parks have expressed opposition to the projects, one saying he already has a lot of trespassers on his land trying to go fishing in his pond, and he wants to know what developers are going to do to keep the RV park residents from adding to this issue.

Public hearings will take place at city council August 5 and August 28 before the RV parks get final approval.