By Krista Chandler

The Orange Leader

Orange City Council’s spirit of improving and growing the City of Orange in the wake of destruction by Hurricane Harvey and other disasters led way Tuesday evening to a long-anticipated restaurant residents will soon be able to enjoy.

The Boardwalk Grille is projected to open its doors in summer of next year at the corner of 5^th Street and Division Avenue in downtown with the help and encouragement of the council.

Already a local favorite, the Boardwalk Grille has been serving customers at its temporary location on 5^th Street for some time. The restaurant is open Monday and Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Wednesday through Friday for lunch and dinner from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The City of Orange Economic Development Corporation and the council unanimously approved the final stages of the $200,000 infrastructure plan Tuesday evening, as well as a $100 per year, 25-year ground lease agreement for the restaurant.

Mayor Larry Spears Jr. told the Orange Leader that the final approval process was necessary to make sure all odds and ends have been met before the project officially advances.

“It’s been going on for so long, and the growth potential of Orange is limitless,” Spears said. “We needed the right type of project and people to come along and take a chance, and we will support them as much as we can.”
Spears added, “We’re looking forward to seeing this project get going. This could be the catalyst we need to really see that area grow.”

A proposed 35-acre, 22-lot housing subdivision near FM 1130 will soon become a reality for Orange after the council unanimously approved a preliminary plat for Cypress Shadows Estates following discussion at prior meetings from residents and developer Sam Peveto.

Spears explained that residents living in Peveto’s previous developments had turned up to previous council meetings to express concerns about the proposed project, and that Peveto had made the necessary changes to the plans to move forward with the development.

The approval came with the granting of several variances to city ordinances for the development. Each lot is expected be provided water wells and on-site sewer facilities, eliminating the use of city water or sewer services and meaning no fire hydrants will be on site.

Underground storm drains will allow storm water to travel through ditches to a retention pond expected to be built on site, which means no sidewalks will be constructed in the development.

“We’ve addressed the issues and are moving forward,” Spears said. “I believe Peveto is a good man and wants to bring growth to the area. Hopefully, we’ll see this amazing project benefit a lot of people in the area.”

In other council news, a $196,000 Wastewater Treatment Plant Rehabilitation contract was awarded to Allco to wrap up the final stages of getting Orange’s wastewater treatment facility up to date.

The council also heard from the city’s health insurance consultant during a presentation about options for city employees and their health insurance moving forward.

Spears told the council Tuesday evening that regular code enforcement needs to be reinstated in the city as a result of the piling trash and litter throughout the area.

“We relaxed code enforcement to give people a chance to recover, but it’s time to start enforcing them again so we can get the city picked up and cleaned up properly,” Spears said.

“It’s been 10 months since Hurricane Harvey,” Spears explained. “I feel that as a city we have got to do better as far as litter and trash on city streets.”

The mayor added that the city council has made efforts to go out and pick up trash and litter themselves with the help of different groups and organizations, but that residents need to do their part to continue improving and beautifying the city so that it can grow and flourish.

The city has until the end of September to approve its new budget for the next fiscal year.