The U.S. Department of Justice has officially closed its civil rights investigation into EPIC City, a proposed Muslim-led development in Collin and Hunt counties, after developers affirmed that the project will be inclusive and open to all, in line with the Fair Housing Act.
“CCP has affirmed that all will be welcome in any future development… Based on this information, the Department is closing its investigation at this time,” the DOJ stated in its letter to the developers.
What Is EPIC City?
EPIC City is a large-scale, master-planned community development project near Josephine, Texas, about 30 miles northeast of Dallas. It is being led by:
- East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC)
- Community Capital Partners (CCP)
Project Highlights:
- Covers 402 acres of land
- Will feature 1,000+ residential homes
- Includes a mosque
- A K–12 faith-based school
- A community college
- Assisted living facilities for the elderly
- Townhomes and apartments
- Retail and commercial spaces
Current Status:
- Still in early planning stages
- Traffic, flood, and water studies have been completed
- Construction has not yet started
Vision & Values:
- Designed as an inclusive, values-driven community
- Rooted in principles of education, care, and diversity
- EPIC describes itself as:
“A multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-lingual, non-sectarian, diverse, and open community committed to full and equal participation and involvement of men and women.”
DOJ Closes Case, But Texas State Investigations Continue
While the federal government has stepped back, the project is still under multiple investigations by Texas state agencies and officials, including:
- Governor Greg Abbott, who posted on social media: “Sharia law is not allowed in Texas.”
- Attorney General Ken Paxton, whose office is reviewing EPIC City’s communication with local officials in Plano, Richardson, and Wylie.
- Texas Rangers, asked by Abbott to investigate the mosque and its affiliates.
- Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, which raised concerns over required utility district permits.
- Texas Funeral Service Commission and Texas Workforce Commission, which have sent letters about various compliance issues.
Developers Push Back
EPIC City and CCP have hired high-profile attorney Dan Cogdell to represent them in these investigations. He called the inquiries “racial profiling” and unjustified.
“These folks are U.S. citizens, law-abiding, and Texans. If this was centered around a church or synagogue, none of this would be happening,” said Cogdell.
“We’ve done nothing illegal. But we’ve been forced to spend time, energy, and money defending our right to build.”
Muslim Advocates React
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) welcomed the DOJ’s decision and urged state leaders to follow suit.
“This Islamophobic witch hunt needs to end,” said Nihad Awad, CAIR National Executive Director.
“The DOJ’s closure of this case should be a clear message to Texas officials to stop abusing their authority to discriminate against Muslims.”
CAIR and project leaders had previously called the state actions “zoning harassment” and “politically motivated intimidation.”
Final Thoughts
Although the federal case is closed, EPIC City continues to face scrutiny at the state level, with multiple investigations still underway. The project has become a flashpoint in the broader conversation about religious freedom, equal treatment, and the right to build inclusive communities in America.
Despite the challenges, the developers remain firm in their vision—to create a welcoming and diverse neighborhood where all are respected. As legal processes unfold, EPIC City stands as a symbol of resilience and a reminder of the values enshrined in the Constitution.