Abilene’s North side multi-story building future remains uncertain

ABILENE, Texas ( KTAB/KRBC ) – In North Abilene, a multi-story building caused a bit of anxiety for residents and nearby businesses.

On North 6th Street and Willis Street, you can find the structure that was built in the 1950s. After a first-floor fire in 2018, the Abilene Board of Buildings says it desperately needs repairs. They are giving the owner 30 days to think of a plan of action.

Right next door is Northside Service, an auto repair shop that has been there for decades. Jeremiah Halliburton, the manager, shared that his family has owned it for the last 10 years. But as long as they have been there, there have been problems with the multi-story building. His business has suffered damages from falling debris.

“Here now and down, especially when it gets cold, the windows will just break off, spin, and hit the shop, so it’s a ticking time bomb every day. Windows fall off of it. It hits our building all the time. It hits customers’ cars, and we have to take a loss for that. We can’t point any fingers at anybody else. This is our parking lot, and this building is super close,” explained Halliburton.

While windows have been boarded up to fix the debris problem, the Abilene Board of Building Standards is now giving the owner 30 days to develop a plan for the building as a whole. A real estate professional named Jack Oduro is speaking on behalf of the owner and requesting more time. As the building is being labeled for condemnation, they are having a hard time gathering funds to fix it.

“Complete cleaning and gutting of all the electrical as well as then getting the plan of phases of construction that would start in the basement, so I think 60 days to come up with a formal plan would be ideal than 30 days,” added Oduro.

The board ultimately declined the request as the owner had months to make a plan.

“We are concerned about the length of time since the fire where there has been zero action and what it has done to the surrounding neighborhood,” explained an unknown board member.

While the future of the building remains uncertain, Jeremiah hopes it can finally be demolished.

“That building has gone through numerous hands of different people, and people have had plans to do something about it. If they want to have it and do something with it, then cool, but it’s just too much time and money, and it’s just better for it to go,” said Halliburton.

The Abilene Board of Building provided a “Timeline of Events” with the structure fire

• May 1, 2018 – Structure fire occurred. Abilene Fire Department estimated damages at $30,000.
• February 24, 2023 – Received complaints for dilapidated structure and contacted owner. He agreed to meet with the Abilene Board of Building at structure to inspect the interior.
• September 1, 2023 – Case opened for dilapidated structure. Received citizen complaint for glass and parts of exterior falling from upper level of building. The citizen also complained of vagrants breaking in often.
• September 14, 2023 – Informed by owner he is looking to sell the property.
• November 2, 2023 – Owner sent an update that they are still working on property sale and have a potential buyer.
• January 22, 2024 – Owner informed Board of Building that he may have a buyer in the coming week, but said the next update wouldn’t be for another one to two months

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.