New tourism studies have shown that the downtown area is the biggest draw for people coming into the area.

The move to preserve historic downtown seems to be important to many Abbeville residents.

Downtown Abbeville; in every direction, you can see historic buildings and restaurants, which are helping to increase tourism in the area.

Abbeville Commissioner Lucky Armstrong said, "Not long ago we had a group from Montgomery come down, they ate at our local restaurant, which has brought in people; they walked around town, visited our church."

These groups are looking for a way to step back in time and enjoy the history of the area. City leaders want to make sure to preserve this draw to the city.

Abbeville Mayor Ryan Blalock said, "We are going to have new people here who aren't used to Abbeville, who don't know what we like, don't know what our buildings look like. So, we want to set some guidelines for those newcomers; most who have expressed interest to me understand that."

In addition to improving the outside of many buildings in the downtown area, city leaders would also like to see areas like ‘Asphalt Jungle’ turned into green space.

Mayor Blalock said, "I would like my son who is 7-years-old now to be able to walk down these streets and hear the same music and get the same feeling I got as a child. For that reason, we think it is really important."

A historic preservation society is being assembled to create enforceable guidelines to keep historic downtown Abbeville preserved for generations to come.

Residents will celebrate the revitalization of downtown Abbeville in May during the Vatta Abba Day Celebration.