Tyler

By JACQUE HILBURN
Feature Writer

In many respects, Beverly Abell is a fixture in downtown Tyler, but few seem to recognize her in a crowd.

As the director of Heart of Tyler-Main Street, it's her job to come up with innovative ways to help promote and encourage positive development of the city's historic downtown.

The Oklahoma native and noted preservationist describes it as the best job in town, but she's not the type to crow about what she brings to the table.

"I love the Main Street program and I really believe in it," she said from her office in the Blackstone Building. "When I came to this downtown for the first time, I looked around and thought, 'This is doable. The Main Street Program will work here.'"

That was almost two years ago. And so far, she appears to be correct.

Downtown renovations are on the rise.

Private investments are quietly pouring in to develop both residential and commercial properties.

And efforts are under way to incorporate a roadmap for downtown improvement into the new Tyler 21 Comprehensive Plan.

Her efforts in helping cultivate support and interest are being recognized, most recently with her election to the Texas Downtown Association Board of Directors.

Convincing her to talk about her role in all of this is difficult.

"I'm kind of a behind-the-scenes person," she said. "I like to stay in the background."

She credits Main Street supporters and volunteers with continuing the evolution of downtown.

Since moving to Tyler in 2005, Mrs. Abell, the apparent introvert, has been mostly successful in avoiding the limelight, leaving some to wonder what brought her here in the first place.

Her resume reflects a lengthy work history that includes both national and international consulting.

She was a staffer of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's National Main Street office in Washington, D.C. and a consultant for England's Civic Trust to establish a Main Street-type program in Cambridgeshire.

While in Washington, she helped areas throughout the United States, including Delaware, Indiana and West Virginia, create plans for downtown preservation.

Prior to her current role, she was serving as executive director of the award-winning Greeley, Colo., Downtown Development Authority and Main Street Program.

And after all that, she chose Tyler.

It's closer to her native Oklahoma and family, she explains, noting her British-born husband, Chris Abell, is happy with the many higher education opportunities. East Texas is also an excellent location for the couple's favorite hobby, gardening.

Even the family felines, Louie and Poppy, have settled in nicely, she said.

THE PUSH

Mrs. Abell could probably have landed anywhere, but seems to enjoy this city's slower pace and adoration of its downtown.

"This community is still pushing for downtown," she said. "I'm not swimming against the tide. There truly is an understanding here of what's at stake. Of all the places I've been, this is probably the one community that gets it most. Downtown, whether you like it or not, is the calling card for this community. And this downtown is as Tyler as it gets."

When people think of Tyler, it is for things like the Azalea district, brick streets and stately old homes. Downtown is a reflection of those attributes and others, she said.

"We have 14 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places," she said. "The churches downtown are just beautiful. They give the city a sense of place. We have a collection of styles here. A downtown with different types of architecture is like a footprint in history."

There's been a lot of information to absorb, but she's getting a handle on what Tyler used to be.

No ghost stories have emerged, but the downtown has many unusual attributes, like the fact the square was once lined with decorative watering troughs for horses.

Mrs. Abell said colorful stories relayed by her grandfather and 100-year-old great-grandmother jumpstarted her appreciation of all things historic.

The people who helped entice Mrs. Abell to Tyler are delighted with her progress and outlook.

"Beverly has such a good reputation in the industry," said Martin Heines, past president of Heart of Tyler Main Street board of directors. "I remember the first day we had a conversation, I was really hoping we could attract her. There's so much extensive background development she's done that the community hasn't seen yet. There are great things to come because of the groundwork she's laid."

Changes won't be quick, but they will be purposeful and meaningful, he said.

"She's a real keeper," said Chris Simons, a Tyler City Councilman who serves on the Main Street board. "I've been very impressed with her and really blown away by her skills. We're really fortunate to have her."

Friends left behind remain steadfast supporters.

"There's a Beverly fan club here," said Ron Frantz, an architect with the Oklahoma Main Street Program. "Everywhere she goes, she always does great. I think it's a combination of instinct and creativity. She's very serious about her job, but she doesn't take herself seriously."

He recalled an incident in which Mrs. Abell was invited to be a guest speaker at the National Main Street Conference. "It was going to be her time to shine," he said.

But Mrs. Abell showed up for the occasion in a ball cap and jersey with her hair in a ponytail.

"She got up in front of all those people and said, 'I've had these clothes on for three days. My bag is somewhere in Bogota, Colombia and I'm standing here, giving a presentation,'" he said. "Most of us probably would have cratered after all that, but she didn't. Beverly just accepted who she was and got down to work - she really wowed them."

Shortly thereafter, the rumpled presenter was offered the opportunity to work in Washington.

Now that she's here, Tyler's Main Street director seems to be attacking her role with the same passion.

When it comes to restoring downtowns, communities have just one shot to get it right, she said.

"The National Trust says that old buildings die only once," Mrs. Abell said. "That's why I'm never going to give up. I believe if you fall down seven times you stand up eight."

Beverly Abell, shown on a downtown Tyler rooftop, is credited with taking the Heart of Tyler-Main Street organization to new heights since she accepted the post as director of the organization almost two years ago.
(Staff photo by Amy Peterson)