Drive by the old St. Ann Hospital at 1350 Cypress St. and it looks like nothing is happening.

Loretta Fulton

Chain link fence surrounds the property and there are signs of some demolition. A worker’s gloves are stuck in the fence and a lock and chain deter trespassers.

Basically, the building looks empty and neglected. It may be empty, but it is far from neglected. Organizers responsible for transforming the old hospital into 34 efficiency apartments for previously homeless people are running behind schedule to turn St. Ann Hospital into St. Ann Place, but certainly not deterred.

The project is being overseen by CitySquare, a Dallas-based anti-poverty nonprofit, in conjunction with Abilene’s Highland Church of Christ. When a ceremonial groundbreaking was held in November 2017, representatives from CitySquare said the project was expected to  be completed by December 2018.

Read complete story by Loretta Fulton in the Abilene Reporter-News