New plan for Abilene Hotel is first step for east Abilene entrance upgrade

Welcome news last week was that there's a plan in the works to do something with the dilapidated Abilene Hotel on East Highway 80, less than a mile from downtown.

Earlier this year, we noted that the east entrance into downtown is lacking.

While it presents a nice, downhill view of the city, more unique than any other entrance, it suggests a bygone day rather than a city moving forward.

It's also the most likely route that folks will use from the airport, or heading to the zoo or Taylor County Expo Center from central Abilene.

The final westbound part of the journey is over Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Bridge, which shows local respect for the slain civil rights leader.

Then, motorists pass one of the four limestone pillars that mark the entrance to the downtown Cultural District. They drive by Frontier Texas!, seeing the metal buffaloes spinning in the sky when the wind is blowing, and by Front Porch, one of several coffee houses downtown.

Welcome to downtown!

But first, they must go by eyesores on what used to be the main thoroughfare through Abilene before Interstate 20 took traffic to the north and around the city.

The worst of these is Abilene Hotel. It faded away the past few years, going from inexpensive ($29 a room, we recall) overnight lodging to extended stay, then was closed completely. It is boarded up and sends the wrong message to those who are about to enter a downtown area that is much more vibrant.

And just to the east is the Econolodge.

Long-timers will remember it as the attractive Thunderbird Lodge back in the day. Its pool beckoned on 100-degree days.

But it, too, faded away as overnight lodging as the Emerald Inn. Under new management, the site has been spruced up and overnight lodging has returned. It also offers extended stays.

That has become a trend in Abilene.

The former Royal Inn, where a cook named Clyde once made some of the best steaks in Abilene, now offers extended stay on West Highway 80.

Frontier Inn, on Pine Street near I-20, also is an extended stay. Another, smaller sign there calls it "Hotel Happiness." We're not sure we agree, but it's at least positive.

There are others, located along the interstate and even along South First Street.

By extended stay, we are referring to housing for those with low income. Consider that residents are living in a motel room. A bed, or two. A bureau with a TV. Sink area. Shower and toilet.

Some residents are single; sometimes, as those delivering Meals on Wheels will find, there are families packed into a room.

A first thought is that is not desirable living. Yet, it would be much better than being on the street or at a shelter.

We were pleased to see awful Claystone apartments are North Third Street and Mockingbird Lane closed. It was below an acceptable standard of living in Abilene.

The plan by out-of-town ownership for Abilene Hotel is to make it an extended stay facility.

More:Abandoned Abilene Hotel to get new lease on life

We hope that simply is not removing the boards and reopening. It needs work.

With ATEMS having left its first home at the nearby former West Texas Medical Center, and Texas State Technical College primarily in its new digs on the loop, this stretch of East Highway 80 is not picturesque by any means. It has a feeling of abandonment.

The bleak look includes A-1 Wrecking, an auto salvage yard at the east side of the MLK bridge.

The city put forth an effort to improve Pine Street, which connects downtown to its intersection at Ambler Avenue. There, Hendrick Medical Center, Texas Tech University Health Science Center and Hardin-Simmons University are located.

A similar effort would brighten East Highway 80.

This one is different in that Highway 80 is a state-maintained road. Yet, it's a good opportunity for the city and state to work together. We've noted before on the difficulty to keep the MLK bridge concrete barrier clear of debris. An occasional street-sweeping would do the job.

The good news is that something maybe done about Abilene Hotel. And if that doesn't work, it needs to be razed, as was Civic Plaza Hotel downtown,

By name alone, it has to made better or continue to present a less than desirable welcome to the city for visitors.

And an unsightly daily view for residents passing by.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Plan for Abilene Hotel first step for east Abilene entrance upgrade