As the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex continues to expand, the City of Denton is pursuing a growth strategy defined by intention and long-range planning. In a recent episode of The Building Texas Show, Mayor Gerard Hudspeth outlined how Denton is managing rapid development while preserving its distinct identity.
Mayor Hudspeth, a Denton native first elected to the city council in 2017 and as mayor in 2020, has led the city through the COVID-19 pandemic, Winter Storm Uri, and significant population growth. He views city leadership as a relay, building on the work of predecessors. "Cities don't change overnight," Hudspeth said. "You pick up where your predecessors left off, stand on their shoulders, and keep moving the vision forward."
Central to Denton's approach is balancing growth with livability. Home to the University of North Texas and Texas Woman's University, Denton attracts students from across the state. The challenge is ensuring graduates can stay and build careers locally. The city is focusing on job creation in logistics, advanced manufacturing, engineering, data infrastructure, and emerging technologies. Major employers like Peterbilt and Tetra Pak anchor the industrial base, while recent investments in high-speed computing infrastructure position Denton for digital and AI-driven industries. "We want someone to graduate here, find a meaningful job, buy a home, and raise a family—without having to leave the city they love," Hudspeth said.
Culture is a key economic driver for Denton. The city's arts scene and music programs deliver both quality of life and economic impact. A standout example is the "31 Days of Halloween" celebration, which drew over 830,000 visitors downtown in a single month, boosting local businesses. "That's the visitor center, the chamber, economic development, and local businesses all pulling in the same direction," noted host Justin McKenzie.
Looking ahead, Hudspeth highlighted the Landmark Development, a 3,200-acre master-planned community in partnership with Hillwood. The project, anchored by H-E-B, blends residential, retail, trails, and open space, with over 1,000 acres dedicated to trails and outdoor amenities. "It's about filling in gaps, not just adding rooftops," Hudspeth said. "Growth should make the city better, not just bigger."
Hudspeth emphasized that municipal leadership is a service role built on collaboration. "Just because you can win an election doesn't mean you can run a city," he reflected. "That's why strong partnerships and professional staff matter so much." For more information, visit Discover Denton. The full conversation is available on The Building Texas Show.
