Abilene, Texas, has steadily become the retail, residential, business, medical, and overall center of the surrounding Big Country. Commercial development was especially boosted in 2007, with several multimillion-dollar projects throughout the entire city.Carl Kieke. "Building on the Rise" Abilene Reporter-News January 27, 2008. Most of the recent development is concentrated in roughly four areas in Abilene: Southwest Drive, Catclaw Drive, and Buffalo Gap Road near the Winters Freeway to the southwest, as this area becomes a strong commercial sector as well as a good residential district; Buffalo Gap Road, Beltway South, and US Highway 83/84 near and beyond the outskirts of the city in the south with several housing developments; Loop 322 area and Oldham Ln to the southeast, also near and past the edge of the city with a mix of several residential subdivisions as well as the start of commercial growth; and State Highway 351/Ambler Avenue near Interstate 20 to the northeast, also a combination of staple retail development, similar to the southwest commercial development, and the beginnings of residential growth with a new apartment complex and growing subdivisions.

Development in Abilene is accelerated in part by a growth-oriented City Council, the Development Corporation of Abilene (DCOA), the Abilene Chamber of Commerce, the Abilene Texas Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Abilene Industrial Foundation and the Abilene Preservation League. A renewed interest in Downtown has prompted the inception of the Downtown Abilene Initiative, a coalition of individuals, business and institutions to overhaul the infrastructure of Downtown. The Abilene City Council recently approved a tax incentive for developers and business owners in efforts to overhaul the infrastructure of Downtown and the Treadaway Boulevard corridor, projected to be worth $19.76 million.

Downtown Downtown Abilene has been recently reinvigorated by a mix of grassroots efforts and formal efforts through the Abilene Chamber of Commerce's can Not Downtown Abilene Initiative. Plans are in the works to open a hotel near the Abilene Convention Center making the city's accommodations more desirable to visitors. The Initiative is the product of several studies commissioned by the City and the Chamber.

The City Council's efforts to incentivize a downtown convention hotel have not been reciprocated by Taylor County. In January 2019, the County Commissioner denied a request for a 50% tax abatement over a 10-year period. The City stated the project's success was not solely dependent on the county's ability to envision a prosperous future. Mayor Williams is confident that private sector forces will help the massive project succeed.

In March 2019, the City Council approved the incorporation of the Abilene Convention Center Hotel Development Corporation, a local government corporation (LGC). The LGC, a separate entity from the city and the council, is now responsible for the planning and execution of the project.

In April 2019, the City Council approved plans for a Master Development Agreement with Garfield Public/Private. The plan involves a mix of funding sources, the majority of which is non-tax related. The city is responsible only for $12.4 million of the $66.64 million needed to complete the project.

East Highway 80 divides Downtown into two districts: the North district, anchored by the Abilene Convention Center and a lively business atmosphere; and the South district, referred to as SoDA District (South of Downtown Abilene), anchored by the 20-story Enterprise Building, many government buildings and a budding nightlife scene.

Growth along the Pine Street Corridor has exploded due to the addition of the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center and major construction on Hendrick Hospital. The two institutions connect Ambler Avenue to Downtown.

Commercial and Shopping

The Historic Paramount Theatre Antique Station Lone Star Dry Goods Frontier Texas! King's Barbers National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature (NICCL) The Grace Museum CityLink Abilene Convention and Visitors' Bureau Abilene Farmers' Market Abilene City Hall The Fire Escape Furniture Junk-It The Arrangement Vletas Casa Authentique Under One Roof Texas Star Trading Co. Betty & June Barnes & Williams Drug Center - Pharmacy and Gifts SoDA District Courtyard - A new event space in the SoDA District great for weddings, receptions, live music, fundraisers & art exhibits. Loft on 6th Wild Ones Boutique

Residential Parramore Square - An urban community of townhomes and patio homes in an historic neighborhood adjacent to Downtown Abilene. Phase I is all detached townhomes. Hotel Wooten Windsor Hotel

Restaurants and Bars

Beehive Saloon The Local - Taquería Sockdolager Brewing Company Pappy Slokum Brewery The Mill Winery Amendment 21 Vagabond Pizza Grain Theory Brewing Co. - Newly minted brewery planned to be house in redevelopment of a core Downtown block on Pine Street. Renovated building is planned to include a boutique, rooftop bar and underground club. Planned opening early 2019. Fat Boss's 1708 Coffee Lounge McKay's Bakery Monk's Coffee Cypress Street Station Bogie's Downtown Deli The Flour Shop Bakery JC's Lighthouse Chocolates and Food Park

Southwest

Much of Abilene's commercial and retail growth is concentrated in two opposite areas of the city. In the southwest area of the city, along and near Southwest Drive, Ridgemont Drive, and Buffalo Gap Road, several new retailers and businesses have brought new names to Abilene as this area continues to attract many to new shops, hotels, and restaurants. In addition, even some new residential projects have sprouted throughout the city's southwest side, many of which are within blocks of Rebecca Lane.

Construction on several arterial and connective streetsCarl Kieke. "Construction Zone," Abilene Reporter-News, May 19, 2008. is indicative of the area's strong commercial growth. Southwest Drive was widened from 2 lanes each direction (plus central left-turn lane) to 3 lanes each direction, totaling 7 lanes from Catclaw Drive to S. Clack Street and 6 lanes under the Winters Freeway. This project was completed in late 2008.City of Abilene Website - Construction and Repair Listing: Southwest Drive Traffic Improvements Also, Catclaw Drive was reconstructed and reconfigured to create 2 northbound lanes, 1 southbound lane, and 1 shared left-turn lane.Doug Myers. "Taking it to the streets," Abilene Reporter-News, April 7, 2008. The frontage roads of the Winters Freeway, S. Clack Street and S. Danville Drive, were reconstructed from S. 14th St to the US 83/84 & Loop 322 interchange, with restriping and minor widening done between Southwest Drive and Buffalo Gap Road from 2 lanes each to 3 lanes each.Winters Freeway is not three lanes...yet

Southwest Drive and Catclaw Drive have become the source of multiple new businesses, many of which are national chains with their first Abilene location. Two new shopping centers have been created in the area since 2005, Shops at Abilene and Abilene Marketplace, though the latter currently only has one tenant. Also, Buffalo Gap Road and Ridgemont Drive have been a constant area for retail and business and still continues to develop. Here the Mall of Abilene has been a strong spur for commerce since the 1980s, after it was constructed in 1979.Mall of Abilene property facts Property Fact Sheet Contained is a list of several new businesses brought to this commercial district since the turn of the century.

Shops Shops at Abilene - Shopping center built in 2005 at the southeast corner of Southwest Drive and Catclaw Drive, where tenants include Bed Bath & Beyond, Michael's, Ross Stores, PetSmart, Payless ShoeSource, James Avery, Old Navy, and several more chain, and even local, stores and restaurants Abilene Marketplace - Currently only includes Kohl's, the only department store in the city outside of the Mall of Abilene, but has plenty of room for more construction for future tenants The Shops at Abilene Village - Construction began in 2018. Includes Academy Sports + Outdoors, Burlington, PetCo, Party City, Cheddar's, and Panera Bread. Ashley's Furniture Homestore Lithia Toyota of Abilene - Relocated car dealership New stores at the Park Central, Plaza at Park Central, and Catclaw Corner shopping centers OrangeTheory Fitness - On Catclaw Drive north of Rebecca Lane

Hotels MCM Elegante Suites - Near Mall of Abilene on Ridgemont Drive. Full Service Hotel Courtyard by Marriott - Near the Mall of Abilene on Ridgemont Drive Hilton Garden Inn - Near the Mall of Abilene on Ridgemont Drive Sleep Inn - On S Danville Drive just south of Southwest Drive The following four hotels are all located on a short stretch of Catclaw Drive north of Southwest Drive. Holiday Inn Express - Limited-service hotel Wingate Inn & Suites - Limited-service hotel La Quinta Inn & Suites - 72-room limited-service hotel Candlewood Suites - 72-room extended-stay hotelFrom nonprofit to photography

Restaurants Red Robin - Located on Catclaw Drive at the front of Shops at Abilene Taylor County Taphouse - On Catclaw Drive north of Rebecca Lane Cold Stone Creamery - Within Shops at Abilene Rosa's Café & Tortilla Factory Chick-Fil-A Logan's Roadhouse Jason's Deli - Fairly new addition to Catclaw Corner, across from Shops at Abilene Buffet City - In Park Central at Southwest Drive and S. Clack Street

Residential The Reserve at Abilene - New apartments being constructed close to the commercial area, located in a larger apartment region Hampton Hills - Fairly new subdivision with access by Rebecca Lane, close to Dyess AFB Sandy Creek addition - Small court also close to Dyess AFB, will probably expand in the future Butterfield Meadows - A planned mixed-use development zoned for a mix of office, retail, and detached and multifamily housing Garden Grove - Small development of compact houses along Garden Grove Lane Silver Oaks - off Buffalo Gap Road, just south of Woodlake Drive Greystone Estates - New subdivision at south end of Catclaw Drive currently with few houses Waterside - Though slightly off Buffalo Gap Road, this upscale gated community is still being developed and offers a secluded neighborhood The Villages at Wyndham - Adjacent to Waterside, this new subdivision contains a greenbelt area and easy access to key medical and shopping areas

South

Along the edge of the city and beyond city limits, several new subdivisions have come to fruition in only the last few years. South of Antilley Road, these subdivisions mainly use two routes to enter the city, Buffalo Gap Road and US Highway 83/84, where many of these places are located. This surge of residential growth is evidence of both recent outward growth in the city and the desire for open spaces often exhibited by urbanites as well as suburbanites.

Buffalo Gap Road Southern Meadows (Rio Mesa) - Created by the extension of a small existing road, nearly up to capacity Indian Trails - Located off Antilley Road, currently has very few houses Bella Vista Estates - A wealthier subdivision located southeast of Beltway South and Buffalo Gap Road Tuscany Trails - off Beltway South, roughly midway between Buffalo Gap Road and US 83/84

US Highway 83/84 Skyline Estates - Small subdivision off Beltway South near the US 83/84 overpass Saddle Creek Estates - Also a wealthier subdivision that has expanded since its inception in the mid-1990s Lakes at Saddle Creek - Expanded continuously since 1999, reached capacity in 2008 The following subdivisions are located outside of the city limits. Mountain Shadows Ranch - Another wealthier subdivision, created in 2006, which still has very few houses Remington Estates - Average-class community located at Clark Road and US 83/84, nearly at full capacity Deer Valley Estates - off US 83/84 just south of Bell Plains Road