Mayor Dylan Hedrick of Garland, Texas, recently detailed his vision for the city's future during an appearance on The Building Texas Show, highlighting how his engineering background and community-focused approach are shaping one of the Metroplex's most strategically positioned cities. Elected in June after a competitive runoff election, Hedrick brings six years of city council experience and civil engineering expertise to a municipality facing unique challenges as it approaches full build-out.
With limited space for horizontal expansion, Garland's path forward requires innovation, redevelopment, and thoughtful vertical growth. Mayor Hedrick's professional background in land development directly informs the city's approach to infrastructure, planning, and economic development. "It was either move up or move out," Hedrick shared about his decision to run for mayor after being term-limited from the city council, explaining that he believed he still had more to give to shape Garland's future for his young family and all residents.
Despite managing multi-million-dollar capital projects, Mayor Hedrick emphasizes that governance remains deeply personal. "You can spend the morning on a major capital project and the afternoon talking with a resident about one pothole — but to that resident, that pothole is city government," he said. This philosophy manifests in "Meet the Mayor Mondays," listening sessions that continue the door-knocking approach that characterized his campaign.
Garland voters have demonstrated strong support for growth through recent bond approvals, including a $360 million package following a previous $427 million investment. These funds are catalytic for infrastructure, economic development, and quality-of-life projects. "Our voters said yes to growth," Hedrick explained. "Garland is a community of moderate means, so we've had to do more with less. These bond programs allow us to reposition Garland for the next generation of investment and opportunity."
The city's manufacturing heritage remains central to its identity, with Garland now recognized as the Cowboy Hat Capital of Texas. Three cowboy-hat manufacturers produce over a million hats annually, continuing a legacy that includes wartime production and today's robust mix of food processing, product packaging, and specialty goods. Mayor Hedrick is actively shaping Garland's narrative through both policy and direct communication, including his podcast Fifth & State, which gives residents an inside look at city leadership discussions.
Significant challenges remain, including Garland's status as the largest U.S. city without a private hospital — a situation Mayor Hedrick aims to change through strategic land planning and economic incentives. The city is actively redeveloping major corridors such as I-635 and Shiloh, where state reconstruction projects offer new access opportunities. Strategic land purchases exceeding 60 acres are creating shovel-ready sites that close financial gaps for developers and elevate the city's tax base.
As Garland updates its 25-year comprehensive plan and continues redeveloping key districts, Mayor Hedrick's message is unequivocal: "Garland is open for business. We want to work with innovators, employers, and developers who see the opportunity here. The magic we've created downtown can happen across the city." The Building Texas Show episode featuring Mayor Hedrick provides insight into how Texas communities are building their futures through strategic leadership and community engagement.
