Texas nonprofit lists Abilene's former WTU power plant as endangered sites
Those entering or exiting downtown Abilene, crossing the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Bridge, no doubt see a large facility from the past.
It's the former West Texas Utilities power and ice plant, which has not been used for years. Yet, its smokestack stills adds to the downtown skyline.
This month, a group called Preservation Texas named the power plant, completed 100 years ago at 100 North Second St., as one of 13 endangered structures.
The group cites neglect and word that the current owner "is considering demolishing the structure if a buyer cannot be found."
City Manager Robert Hanna on Tuesday confirmed that AEP is the owner.
Preservation Texas said the 18.4-acre site is listed on the National Register.
Preservation Texas is a nonprofit that calls itself a "member-supported preservation and advocacy organization." It's based in San Marcos.
Its new list cites the historic, architectural and cultural value of endangered sites statewide. These sites range from a power plant and a lighthouse to a ferry and even the landscape around fabled Luckenbach.
“Each site represents a chance to reinvest in our historic communities to ensure that irreplaceable landmarks can continue to contribute to the richness of our culture and to the economic vitality of our state,” Preservation Texas executive director Evan Thompson said in a release. “In the months and years ahead, progress will be made, and we look forward to a future where each one of these sites are protected, productive, and restored to their proper place as tangible reminders of our irreplaceable Texas heritage.”
The red-brick Abilene power plant was designed by Dallas architect Wyatt C. Hendrick. It is noted for combining industrial space with natural light.
It was of only a half-dozen built in Texas in the early part of the past century.
WTU was a regional power supplier for years., and the facility operated into the 1960s. The ice operation ended in 1951.
According to historical data from the city of Abilene: "The building is a flagship for WTU and compliments plants built elsewhere in West Texas by the Abilene-based company. The plant is remarkable for its natural lighting via generous windows and skylights. The smokestack is a dominant feature of the Abilene skyline. Important regional electricity provider esp. from 1920s - 1960s; architecturally significant per style and tall smokestack."
Preservation Texas said a feasibility study on finding a new use for the power plant is necessary to help find a new owner.
"The donation of a conservation easement will also provide important tax benefits for the property owner," Preservation Texas said.
Hanna said AEP in 2015 offered the site as a donation to the city but the city's request for a Phase II environmental study was declined, and no deal was struck.
A group of local residents later studied the idea of purchasing the property, he said.
Hanna estimated it would take $30 million to $40 million in private investment to do anything with the building.
The site is adjacent to Cedar Creek, where a walking trail has been created and further work is ongoing. Hikers pass under the MLK bridge and trek on the east side of the creek toward Stevenson Park.
Unlucky 13?
Here is the list of 13 sites that Preservation Texas is listing as endangered:
Bolivar Point Lighthouse, Port Bolivar
Bowie Watson House aka “Watson Chateau," Austin
Carpenter Gothic churches, statewide
Cindy Walker House, Mexia
Cultural landscape of Luckenbach, Luckenbach
Epperson’s Ferry, near Maud
Farrington Field and Public Schools Gymnasium Historic District, Fort Worth
Historic resources of Tehuacana, Tehuacana
Historically Segregated Mexican-American public schools, statewide
Luther Hotel, Palacios
Painted advertising signs, aka “ghost signs," statewide
Rural Black heritage sites, statewide
West Texas Utilities Power Plant, Abilene
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Texas nonprofit: Abilene's former WTU power plant is endangered sites
