Thomas Underwood reflects on 7 years leading Topeka’s NOTO Arts and Entertainment District

When Thomas Underwood joined the NOTO Arts and Entertainment District as its executive director in October 2017, he knew it would take hard work and dedication to make the district as memorable as it is today.

Underwood has been one of NOTO’s greatest advocates as a Topeka native who grew up in the North Topeka area.

“I grew up in this neighborhood, and so for me, these were my stomping grounds,” he said. “This is what I knew. … When I saw when the decline of the area, (it) didn’t happen overnight. This was over a period of time.

“And when NOTO started in 2010, 2011, I was one of those people where it was like: ‘Good luck with that. That can’t possibly work.’ Well, it did work, but it was more organic.”

Redbud Park a notable addition to the NOTO district

Underwood said one of the most “obvious and tangible” changes during his tenure has been Redbud Park.

“I think it surprised a lot of people. We got really lucky to be the right place at the right time to have the money come through.” Underwood said.

Buildout of Redbud Park was completed in late 2019. The land was donated by late Glenn Swogger, a former owner of Kaw Valley Bank, and his wife, Claire.

“I would love to say, ‘Well, it’s because of my expertise,'” Underwood said. “It was mostly right place, right time, right circumstances, honestly. But when we built the park, we broke ground in May of ’19 and we did our ribbon cutting in November of ’19. So, within a blink of an eye, it transformed.”

Underwood said he’s also proud of Breezeway Park and the expansion of NOTO beyond the 800 and 900 blocks of N. Kansas Avenue. Leaders are also discussing an idea to further expand Veterans Park.

“We want to continue to tell the story of NOTO using Veterans Park,” he said. “We want to use the bridge as a canvas for murals. We want to do some cool funky lighting under there. Right now, it’s just a place to park, for the most part. We got all this land. What can we do with it?

“You could have the most polished jewel in the world, but if it’s in a slum, it doesn’t any good. So, we recognize that meadow is a jewel. We recognize that it’s a gem, but it’s only as good as our surrounding here.”

Underwood said leaders are looking at how they can support and enhance local efforts and how to partner with the neighborhoods, including in housing improvement.

Thomas Underwood will retire from NOTO post later this year

NOTO announced Underwood will retire as executive director later this year.

Pedro Concepcion, NOTO board chair, said the board is grateful for Underwood’s leadership, innovation and dogged advocacy during his more than six years as NOTO executive director.

“Tom was the perfect person for NOTO, laying the foundation for the organization and making phenomenal advancements for the district,” Concepcion said.

Underwood said he feels he has made his mark in the community and now it’s time to relax.

“It’s just time. It’s time to stop working 60-hour weeks. It’s time to take more trips,” Underwood said.

The NOTO organization is seeking candidates for the executive director position. Applicants will be accepted until May 12.

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Underwood said the next leader will need to possess the knowledge and understanding that art is part of the community.

“Art is not my background, but I do know that public art is a value to the community,” he said. “So, you can argue whether you like that piece of article or not, or that tapestry or not, (but it) doesn’t matter whether you’re like it or not, somebody else will.

“It’s not that I need to be an art expert, but I do need to be find value in promoting public art.”

Keishera Lately is the business reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. She can be reached at klately@cjonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @Lately_KT.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Retiring Thomas Underwood reflects on 7 years leading NOTO in Topeka