The construction of a restaurant along the downtown Orange boardwalk is ready to begin after the city council and board of the economic development corporation formally approved a grant and lease.
City Economic Development Director Jay Trahan said the restaurant may be open as early as spring 2019 with construction starting in August or September.
Jake LeMoine will build The Boardwalk Grille. The city’s economic development corporation will provide up to $200,000 for infrastructure like the foundation, water, sewer, and other utilities. Trahan said the grant is reimbursable. LeMoine will pay for the work and then submit bills to the city to be reimbursed.
Trahan said the total investment by LeMoine and the city will be $850,000. He said the restaurant will have 15 full-time employees with an average salary of $30,000. The business will also have 25-30 part-time jobs, he added.
The city owns the land on the east side of Fifth Street at Division Avenue. The city will lease it to LeMoine for $100 a year for 25 years. After 10 years, LeMoine will be able to deal with the city to buy the land. Trahan said the purchase option will be based on real estate values at the time and a decision by city council.
The city acquired the land in trade with the Stark Foundation, which still owns adjacent land. Trahan said the Stark Foundation has agreed to the project.
The EDC Board and City Council had unanimous votes approving the deal. The EDC money comes from a special sales tax voters approved.
In other business, the city council approved the plat for Cypress Shadows Estates Phase II by developer Sam Peveto. The planned subdivision is on 35.8 acres off FM 1130 outside the city limits, but within the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction.
The council and the Orange Planning and Zoning Commission last year rejected the preliminary plat because of complaints from city residents living in the Chasse Ridge subdivision adjacent to the land. Those residents were mainly concerned of flooding problems.
After Peveto worked with the Orange County Drainage District and adjusted plans, the Planning and Zoning Commission approved the plat and Tuesday, the council approved the first reading of the plat.
The council passed on first reading a change to the Future Land Use Map designating 1402, 1404, and 1406 Tenth Street as commercial.
The council also approved a contract with Allco of Beaumont for $195,621 for part of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Rehabilitation Phase III. Public Works Director said the money is part of the bonds sold previously for the rehabilitation.
-Margaret Toal, KOGT-
Social Media