Old Lincoln Middle Building One Step Closer To Revitalization

"For one thing, everybody in Abilene passes by that property all the time, so it's very accessible," says Bill Minter, Director of the Abilene Preservation League.

Lincoln Middle School is just one of the many buildings that add a bit of rich history to the downtown area. Thanks to grant funding, as of last week, the building is now in phase two of its environmental assessment.

Minter adds, "What type of hazardous materials might be there whether its lead paint or asbestus or anything like that."

A small but hopeful step in the process.

"When that's complete, we'll know what will be needed to take care of any concerns like that," says Minter.

The Preservation League has big hopes for the building. Residential housing, a public library even a place for higher education. Just few of the many potential re-uses of the building.

Minter says, "There are at least 12, pretty good ones, that we have identified and there may be still others."

Last month, the school board offered the property to the city. An offer that has yet to be accepted.

"I think it has a good future, and it's very important to the future of central Abilene," says Minter.

So, without question, the groundwork is being layed to make use of the once-inhabited building and preserve its history. It's just up to city leaders to decide how that history will be preserved.