ABILENE, Texas — The Landmark at Abilene, a project in the making since 2019, is set to become a symbol of community revitalization. The historic Travis Elementary School, once a hub of education, is being renovated into affordable housing for senior citizens.
Deedra Scott, a local senior who attended the school from 1962-1968, shared fond memories and favorite teachers.
Reflecting on her time at the school, Scott reminisced about Miss French, her first-grade teacher, and Miss Woody, who taught her second grade class.
"She was a great teacher. She did all kinds of stuff for the community," Scott said.
The developer behind the project is Overland Property Group and known for repurposing historical buildings into functional spaces.
Abilene Mayor Weldon Hurt expressed enthusiasm for the project, highlighting its alignment with the City's goals.
"One of our big goals is the redevelopment of older neighborhoods," Hurt said. "Refurbishing an old building like Travis Elementary School brings new life and a renewed vitality to the neighborhood."
The project has received overwhelming support from various organizations working together to breathe new life into the community. Abilene residents like Scott talked about the importance of affordable housing for seniors in the community and acknowledged the economic challenges many seniors face.
"It's very important because there are so many that don't have anywhere to live affordably," she said.
The renovation of Travis Elementary School holds great significance for Abilene. By repurposing the building into subsidized housing for seniors, the project addresses a pressing need while preserving the City's rich history.
