Abilene council votes to deny support for 301 Cypress Street affordable housing application

The Abilene City Council voted to deny a resolution of support for a proposed affordable housing project at 301 Cypress Street, a developer-requested endorsement intended to strengthen a state housing tax credit application.

The resolution, presented by city housing staff, requested a letter of support for an adaptive reuse of a historic structure into about 60 apartment units reserved at or averaging 60% of area median income. Councilmembers and downtown stakeholders questioned whether the project fit the city’s downtown revitalization vision and whether the location offered sufficient amenities for residents.

Tim Littlejohn, the city staff member presenting the item, described the proposal as an adaptive reuse that would reserve approximately 60 units for households at or below 60% of area median income and said the request was an early, nonbinding step in a competitive state application process with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. Littlejohn said the city’s letter of support would provide extra points in the state competition but would not guarantee funding.

Rebecca Bridges, identified as the president of the Downtown Association, told the council she backed more housing downtown generally but said the project did not align with a stakeholder-driven downtown plan developed through the Abilene Regional Growth Alliance. Bridges said she had not had time to poll all downtown stakeholders but that many were concerned the specific product proposed did not match the vision for the core downtown area.

Several downtown business owners spoke against the project. Sarah Cader, general manager of FreePlay Arcade at 250 Cypress, said she had lived in HUD-subsidized housing previously and raised safety concerns, including violent incidents she said she personally experienced in other developments. Derek Hader, also of FreePlay Arcade, said he had similar safety concerns and questioned compatibility with ongoing downtown revitalization.

Council discussion focused on location and long-term downtown strategy. Councilman Robert Price (spoken as “councilman Price” in the record) and others said Abilene needs affordable housing but questioned whether the core downtown location was the right fit. Price and other members referenced a prior downtown conversion (the Windsor Hotel) and said results had been mixed.

Councilman Reagan moved to deny the city’s resolution of support and Councilman Price seconded. The motion passed with the council affirming denial; the record shows the motion carried with the exception of Councilman Yates, who voted against denying the item.

The council’s denial does not prohibit the developer from applying for state funding; Littlejohn said the application process is competitive and that a letter of support from the governing body provides additional points. He also noted that multifamily uses are allowed by right in the central business district and, if the developer secured state funding, could proceed through building permits without returning to council for zoning approval.

No formal appeals or follow-up directives were made at the meeting. Councilmembers who argued for tabling suggested more community engagement before taking a formal position, but the motion before the council at this meeting was to deny the support letter and that motion prevailed.

The item began as a staff presentation and public hearing during the council’s regular session and ended with the council’s vote to deny the resolution of support.