Nearly a Year Later, Why Is This Abandoned Abilene Building Still a Mess?

Almost a year ago, I wrote about the abandoned building sitting right next door to our Townsquare Media studios. It was once home to Touch of Class and later Cattle Baron. Back then, I asked a pretty simple question: Who the heck is responsible for this mess?

Well, nearly a year later, and we still have a problem, which you’ll see below. Apparently, we're still waiting on an answer. The property hasn't gotten better. It's gotten worse.

Get our free mobile app

This Isn't a Fight Against Abilene's Homeless

Before somebody gets the wrong idea, let me make this crystal clear: my fight is not with Abilene's homeless population.

Do I think people staying around this building should pick up after themselves? Absolutely. Trash belongs in a trash can regardless of your situation.

But homelessness isn't the bigger issue here. Neglect is. That's exactly what I said when I first wrote about this property in October 2025.

Why Is the City of Abilene Allowing This to Continue?

This is where I have questions.

How does a property in this condition remain this way month after month? Who owns it? Have there been code violations? Has the owner been contacted? What can the City legally do about it, and if action has been taken, why does it still look like this?

I'm not claiming to have those answers. I'm asking for them.

What About “Keep Abilene Beautiful?”

Here's what makes this even more frustrating. The City promotes Keep Abilene Beautiful, whose mission includes conservation, waste reduction, and beautification. There are programs encouraging residents and businesses to volunteer, clean up public spaces, and take pride in this community.

I'm all for it.

But we can't preach “Keep Abilene Beautiful” while allowing properties to deteriorate into scenes like the one in these photos. That goes for the lack of mowing issue in town as well. I mean, if my lawn got half the height that some of our city medians have gotten, I know I’d get a ticket.

I love Abilene. That's precisely why I'm bringing this up again. Nearly a year later, I'm asking the same question: Who is responsible for fixing this, and what is it going to take to finally get something done?

See the mess for yourself in the video and gallery below.