Buda Mayor Lee Urbanovsky recently appeared on The Building Texas Show to discuss how the city between Austin and San Marcos has evolved from a quiet town into a thriving community, and why its approach to growth matters for the region. In the episode, titled This Austin Suburb Was a Ghost Town. Now It's Packed Every Weekend, Urbanovsky told host Justin McKenzie that downtown Buda was once deserted after 6 p.m. Today, he said, he enjoys sitting on Main Street on weekends simply to watch the crowds. “It’s people I don’t know, which is amazing,” he remarked. That transformation is the result of deliberate planning and collaboration among the City of Buda, the Greater Buda Chamber of Commerce, and the Buda Economic Development Corporation, according to the mayor.
Urbanovsky, who has lived in Buda for more than 25 years and was elected mayor in 2020, credits consistency in the city’s development process as his proudest achievement. “We can do it slow if we have to, but we need to be consistent and predictable,” he said. That philosophy has guided several projects that are reshaping the city’s future. Garison Park, on land purchased in 2016, will open access to Onion Creek, which Urbanovsky called one of the city’s most beautiful gems. Buda Championship Park, formerly the Sportsplex, has been expanded to eight softball fields with grandstands and turf improvements, and recently hosted a soft-opening event with the Pony World Series. Additionally, 2021 bond projects on Goforth Road, Old Black Colony Road, and Austin Street—which runs parallel to Main Street—could establish a second downtown corridor.
The mayor also highlighted the role of regional collaboration in downtown’s revival. He noted that the partnership among the City Council, the chamber, and the EDC began during COVID when the city found ways to support small businesses. McKenzie praised Monica Davidson, CEO of the Greater Buda Chamber of Commerce and a Buda City Council member, for “bringing business collaboration in Buda back to life over the last two years.” Urbanovsky agreed, saying that “the collaboration between the chamber and the EDC and the city council as a whole has made huge strides,” and that Davidson and Jennifer Storm, CEO of the EDC, “absolutely made a huge part of that.”
The implications of this announcement extend beyond Buda’s borders. As one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas, Buda’s approach to managing growth—emphasizing predictability, collaboration, and long-term planning—offers a model for other communities facing similar pressures. The emphasis on consistent development processes and regional partnerships could help other cities balance rapid expansion with quality of life. Moreover, the revitalization of downtown Buda into a weekend destination signals a broader trend of suburban areas investing in walkable, vibrant centers to attract residents and visitors. With ongoing projects like Garison Park and the potential second downtown corridor, Buda is positioning itself for sustained growth while preserving its unique character.
The episode also touched on community engagement, with Urbanovsky encouraging residents to get involved through the EDC, the chamber, or by reaching out to him directly. He advised new council members to “do your homework and be available.” The conversation concluded with a nod to Buda’s cultural scene, including live music at the Buda Amphitheater & City Park and the September Railcar Revival music festival. For those interested in learning more about the city’s trajectory, the full episode is available on The Building Texas Show.
