The City of Orange is officially moving forward with a major economic development initiative. On Tuesday, June 22, 2025, the Orange Economic Development Corporation and Orange City Council approved a significant incentives package to support the construction of a 43-acre shopping center, codenamed Project Capstone. The development will be located at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Interstate 10, serving as a major retail gateway for travelers entering Texas from Louisiana.
The project will be led by Cadance Development Group, a Houston-based firm, and is projected to cost more than $50 million. According to the submitted plans, the center will encompass over 275,000 square feet of commercial space, featuring a variety of retail stores and restaurants. The development site is currently vacant land, requiring no demolition, and is adjacent to the Community Church and Willow Bend Apartment complex.
As part of the approved package, the city has committed to:
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A $2 million incentive grant
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A 33% sales tax rebate over 10 years for participating businesses within the development
“This is not an additional tax that goes to the taxpayers. We’re not asking the taxpayers for any additional money,” said Hillary Gravett, Assistant Director of Economic Development. “It really allows us to open doors for things that may not have been available for the City of Orange.”
Cadance Development Group spokesperson Bryan Mallett emphasized the strategic location of the site, stating, “Orange, Texas, is a strategic location for a power center development along I-10 due to its position at the Texas-Louisiana border. We are grateful for this partnership with the city and look forward to bringing this amenity to the region.”
Councilmembers and residents voiced strong support for the project, with Councilmember Paul Burch addressing a concern raised during the public hearing regarding litter control. “The developers assured residents they would be on top of those things,” Burch noted. “It’s going to bring opportunity, jobs, and local tax dollars will be here. People from Louisiana will no longer be going to Beaumont. They’re going to stop right here.”
Construction is expected to begin in late 2026, with additional details and tenant announcements to follow. City leaders believe this transformative project will significantly boost the local economy, generate job growth, and provide new amenities for Orange residents and visitors alike.