The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

The new Cypresswood Crossing Apartments on Texas 87 is now taking reservations for apartments, which should be available by May 1, perhaps earlier.

Developer Ike Akbari of Port Arthur said about 50 to 60 people already signed a waiting list for the 76 apartments being built in the first phase of the development.

More apartments are being planned, along with a future commercial area and subdivision.

Akbari and Itex development received a city of Orange building permit for $5.7 million in construction on the 76-unit apartment complex.

Akbari said he wants to build 120 more apartments to go with the 76 now under construction.

Two years ago, the plans for the apartment complex drew complaints from residents in Bridge City, including the then-superintendent of schools.

Some people said the influx of residents in the apartments to the Bridge City schools could lead to problems and Bridge City “would become like Orange.” The site on Texas 87 near Hwy.

105 is in the city of Orange, and also in the Bridge City school district.

Akbari had applied for special tax credits through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs by building apartments for median to low income families.

Even though State Rep.

Mike Hamilton of Mauriceville did not support the apartments, the Department of Housing and Community Affairs approved the tax credits.

Akbari said 60 percent of the apartments will go to people with median incomes.

Federal statistics show median income could range from $20,000 to $40,000 a year, depending on family size.

Families and individuals must file applications to be approved for the income levels of residency.

Akbari said the apartments will not be like the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development Section 8 housing for low-income families.

Reservations may be made through calling 409-886-0644.

Though the apartments will get federal tax credits for the development, the company will pay all local property taxes, including city, school and county.

Ike Akbari

The City of Orange Economic Development Corporation, which operates on a special half-cent per dollar sales tax, invested $76,000 in the project to install city water and sewer lines to the site.

City records show the apartment will include 26 units with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, and 26 units with two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Other units will be one-bedroom, one-bath apartments.

The complex will include parking and a community room.

Orange Mayor Brown Claybar and other city officials pushed for the tax credits because of the need for additional housing in the area.

A recent study by the Texas Workforce showed the Golden Triangle needs more housing to accommodate an influx of workers for expansion of industrial plants and other construction projects.