The Abilene Reflector-Chronicle -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 10/12/2003
Last Visited: 10/12/2003
Tietjens has option to purchase Old Abilene Town
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"Wild Bill Hickok will be here as well as other famous figures," Tietjens said."We want to entertain people and at the same time be able to have a feel for the Old West."
The project will take time and include a significant injection of money, he said, but the rewards would flow into Abilene's economy.
"I estimate that it will take a $6 million to $8 million investment in the community," he said.
Tietjens has started a non-profit entity, Historic Abilene Inc., to set the wheels in motion to use grants for restoration and to serve as the base for operation.The foundation would have a board of directors, he said.
The attraction would be open from mid-March through the Christmas season.
When would the new Old Abilene Town be open?Tietjens says it depends on when the purchase of Old Abilene Town, 201 S.E. Sixth, and other nearby properties is completed.
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"When people walk through they will see the way a cow town looked in 1870," Tietjens said."With Abilene being the first cow town what an opportunity.
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Tietjens said the tourism industry should be buoyed by an incredible known commodity baby boomers (Americans born between 1946-64) are having grandchildren and are nearing retirement.
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Tietjens was asked.His response was that a well thought out plan that includes having a vision of what tourism can mean is important.
"Just think, if we increased attendance to 1,000 people a day during the tourist season that is all money that was not here yesterday," Tietjens said.
He likened it to the early to mid 1980s when he and his brother, Jerry, came to Abilene, and began development of the Seelye Mansion, 1105 N. Buckeye, and later the Kirby House Restaurant, 205 N.E. Third, and over time the Tietjens Center for the Performing Arts, 300 N. Mulberry.
People were intrigued by the refurbishment of the buildings, but they have been successful because the buildings represent real history to people here and those from other areas.It also involves marketing, promotion and working with other entities and organizations to tell the story.
Abilene has history and a legacy that no other community in the state can claim, he said.
"I know the state people are genuinely excited about Abilene and what it can mean to the state's tourism," Tietjens said.
Tietjens has been intrigued with a western town image of Abilene for nearly 20 years.He was thankful that someone has been able to keep the mystique alive.One of the problems in developing it into a major attraction now is funding.It is unrealistic to believe that the project, which has been in private hands since the 1970s, would be able to develop into a major attraction without grants and larger-scale participation.
Tietjens plans to make a significant personal contribution, but said he will reach out to the community for further support.One reason he has stayed away from public announcements is that he wanted to make sure that the community would rally behind him.He feels that people will line up for such a project.
One factor for Tietjens is that he wants to continue to have it be a part of all of the Abilene attractions: the Eisenhower Center, Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad, shopping experiences, Greyhound Hall of Fame, Dickinson County Heritage Center and Museum of Independent Telephony.Mansions and restaurants are all of part of the Abilene experience that people want to have an opportunity to share.
Tietjens appreciated the work of the French and the Green family for their willingness to consider an offer from him.As part of the agreement, Tietjens has 72 hours to exercise an option in case another offer is made.A sales price was not disclosed.
"I'm putting my assets into this project because I believe so much in Abilene," Tietjens said."But really this is a community project."
As a private businessman he has decided to reach out and share his vision with the community in hopes that it will gain momentum and excitement.
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A newly developed Old Abilene Town as presented by Tietjens would make the tourism base grow, she said, because it could improve motel occupancy and eating out at restaurants.
"We are considered a tourism town and this would mean more reasons to come to Abilene," she said.
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"With Terry's ideas and incorporating some of the ideas he and I have discussed, he (Tietjens) sees a lot of activities for all ages, crafts, entertainment and hands-on for kids.
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