Abandoned Lubbock Building At 50th And University Frustrates Residents

I, like many other Lubbock residents, once had business in the former Highland Medical office building. I had a couple of appointments there (I can't remember what they were for), and I filled a few prescriptions at the pharmacy downstairs. That was only a few years ago, and I remember the building being perfectly nice and in decent shape.

The Eyesore of 50th & University

When I think of how much central Lubbock has taken a beating over the last few years, I get upset. I lived near that area, and I loved its access to amenities like the Tennis Center and Sun N' Fun. There were plenty of great restaurants. Even now, there's better access to retail with the recent opening of some really fun discount and sports shopping stores.

However, there also are plenty of unkempt or shabby-looking areas, and the king of them all is the former Highland building. Surrounded by weeds and full of smashed windows, it looks terrible as it looms over one of Lubbock's busiest intersections- 50th & University. Many Lubbock folks agree, according to a recent Facebook post:

What is the story on this building? It’s abandoned and makes 50th and university look horrible.

Windows are broken out, weeds are out of control.

I’m surprised the City of Lubbock has let the owners get away with this.

I have to see this mess every day and honestly I’m tired of it and I know my neighbors are as well

A Building In Limbo?

According to one commenter, the building is currently owned by CBM Enterprises, LLC, with an address in Albuquerque. I was unable to verify that myself, but it does appear that the company was involved in a bankruptcy case earlier this year and is possibly now defunct.

A Potential Hazard

According to some comments on the Facebook post, the building is providing a hideout for the homeless and for kids skipping school. While I believe Lubbock needs to do much more to address the needs of our unhoused population, it doesn't take a huge leap in logic to see the potential hazards of folks squatting in an abandoned building. There could be mold and possibly exposed asbestos in a building of that age. It could also prove to be a fire hazard or house aggressive animals. It's just an unsafe place to be, and I hope any students will avoid it, and that the homeless are able to find less dangerous accommodations.