In this episode of The Building Texas Show, host Justin McKenzie sits down with Mayor Dylan Hedrick of Garland, Texas, the Cowboy Hat Capital of Texas. Mayor Hedrick shares how he moved from city council to the mayor’s seat, why listening is the most important part of leadership, and how Garland is navigating redevelopment, manufacturing growth, major bond investments, and the challenges of being a 98% built-out city. Learn how Garland is planning its next 25 years, why a single pothole can define city government, and how the city is positioning itself for new employers, a private hospital, and transformative development at I-635 and Shiloh. 00:00 – Welcome to The Building Texas Show 00:32 – Meet Mayor Dylan Hedrick: Winning the runoff and stepping into leadership 01:17 – Why he ran for mayor after six years on city council 02:18 – Garland today: Manufacturing, hats, food culture, and a growing downtown 03:42 – Collaboration with the Chamber, Dallas College, and employers 05:31 – Wor

In this episode of The Building Texas Show, host Justin McKenzie sits down with Mayor Dylan Hedrick of Garland, Texas, the Cowboy Hat Capital of Texas. Mayor Hedrick shares how he moved from city council to the mayor’s seat, why listening is the most important part of leadership, and how Garland is navigating redevelopment, manufacturing growth, major bond investments, and the challenges of being a 98% built-out city.

Learn how Garland is planning its next 25 years, why a single pothole can define city government, and how the city is positioning itself for new employers, a private hospital, and transformative development at I-635 and Shiloh.

00:00 – Welcome to The Building Texas Show

00:32 – Meet Mayor Dylan Hedrick: Winning the runoff and stepping into leadership

01:17 – Why he ran for mayor after six years on city council

02:18 – Garland today: Manufacturing, hats, food culture, and a growing downtown

03:42 – Collaboration with the Chamber, Dallas College, and employers

05:31 – Workforce training and the future of blue-collar jobs

06:08 – Planning a city that is 98% built out

07:20 – Comprehensive plans, lakefront strategy, and redevelopment focus

08:03 – Garland loses its hospital — and the plan to attract a new one

09:10 – Rebuilding I-635 and unlocking new economic opportunity

10:30 – Bonds, tax base growth, and doing more with less

12:05 – How bond programs fuel redevelopment and public infrastructure

13:01 – The biggest needs: A hospital, development partners, and investment

13:59 – “Garland is open for business”: Mayor Hedrick’s call to action

14:37 – Closing thoughts and invitation to visit Garland, Texas

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