Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced a full stop to all development activity on EPIC City, a proposed large-scale, Muslim-led community project near Dallas. The decision comes amid at least six separate investigations by state and federal authorities, including the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), raising questions about potential violations of fair housing laws, unlicensed operations, and financial irregularities.
State and Federal Scrutiny Intensifies
The 400-acre EPIC City project, spearheaded by the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) and its financial partner, Community Capital Partners (CCP), was billed as an inclusive master-planned community featuring over 1,000 homes, educational and commercial spaces, and Islamic cultural amenities. However, state officials argue that key components of the project may violate civil rights and public health regulations.
Among the chief concerns is whether EPIC City could exclude non-Muslims, potentially violating the 1968 Texas Fair Housing Act. The Texas Rangers are leading a criminal investigation, joined by the Texas Attorney General’s Office, the Texas State Securities Board, and the Texas Funeral Service Commission. Investigators are also probing allegations that funeral services may have been offered on the site without a license, a charge EPIC denies.
At the federal level, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) confirmed the DOJ has launched a civil rights investigation following concerns that religious discrimination could be embedded in the development’s framework.
EPIC and CCP: “We Are Committed to Inclusion”
Both EPIC and CCP have pushed back strongly against the accusations. At a recent public hearing in Collin County, EPIC leadership insisted the development was never intended to be exclusionary. Instead, they characterized EPIC City as a peaceful, family-oriented community inspired by faith but open to all.
“EPIC City is not a religious compound. It is a diverse neighborhood, like countless others in Texas, with space for homes, schools, and businesses,” said Dan Cogdell, attorney for CCP. “The fact that there’s a mosque in the blueprint is being used to incite fear — if it were a church or synagogue, we wouldn’t be here.”
Tension Rises in Public Discourse
Public reaction has been mixed but often heated. Some residents have expressed concerns over what they view as a religiously motivated enclave that could lead to cultural segregation or the imposition of religious law. At county commissioner meetings, attendees voiced fears about “Sharia law” and the project’s perceived exclusivity, despite no evidence that the development would operate under any form of religious legal code.
EPIC leaders, meanwhile, report an uptick in Islamophobic backlash, including hate mail and doxxing. Mosque officials say their home addresses have been circulated online, triggering security concerns for their families.
“This isn't just about zoning or permits anymore,” one EPIC member said. “It’s about whether Muslim communities have the right to exist and grow in Texas without being vilified.”
A Freeze with Far-Reaching Implications
Governor Abbott’s move effectively halts EPIC City before it reaches the permitting stage. Although no official construction had begun, developers now face indefinite delays as investigations proceed. Abbott also signaled support for upcoming legislation aimed at restricting religious or foreign-influenced developments, a proposal civil liberties groups warn could stoke discrimination.
Legal experts suggest the outcome of this case could set a precedent for how faith-affiliated developments are treated in Texas and beyond.
What Comes Next?
No additional hearings or announcements have been scheduled. The DOJ and Texas agencies have not provided timelines for their investigations. For now, EPIC City remains on hold, its future contingent on both legal rulings and shifting public sentiment.
In a joint statement, EPIC and CCP reiterated their intent to cooperate fully with authorities, while reaffirming their vision.
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