During his six years as mayor, Tommy Stewart helped lead University Park through the COVID-19 pandemic, large-scale projects at Snider Plaza and the Miracle Mile, and the city’s 2024 Centennial Celebration.
Residents and fellow community leaders, though, say they’ll remember Stewart most for his intangible skills — his warmth and knack for making people feel heard.
Stewart was elected mayor in 2020 after serving on the city council from 2010 to 2016, including as chair of the Public Works Advisory Commission.
“Over time, I’ve learned that progress is built on collaboration, working with residents, staff, and fellow councilmembers to find thoughtful, balanced solutions,” Stewart wrote. “What may surprise people is how complex even small decisions can be, and how important it is to take the time to understand different perspectives before moving forward.”
Stewart’s openness to diverse views drew praise from his current and former colleagues on the city council, as well as former mayors. Well-wishers crowded the city council chambers to say goodbye to Stewart during his final meeting as mayor on May 5.
Former City Councilmember Liz Farley said Stewart taught her “how to be a more patient leader.”
“He was always willing to have more conversations and meetings before a vote, if it meant citizens would feel heard,” she noted.
Farley said she was impressed by Stewart’s work to bring Park Cities faith community leaders from more than 13 organizations together. The leaders considered how best to support the community, including through mental health initiatives. The effort was a first for a University Park mayor.
Roy Coffee Jr., who served as University Park’s mayor from 1976 to 1982 and has since become a noted city historian, praised Stewart’s progress toward resolution of issues that have long bedeviled past mayors: Snider Plaza and Miracle Mile.
“All of the mayors worried about two things, generally, and that was basically Miracle Mile and Snider Plaza, and you took care of those, basically,” Coffee told Stewart at the May 5 meeting.
Highland Park ISD school board president Maryjane Bonfield said Stewart prioritized the partnership between the city and the school district during his tenure.
“Mayor Stewart understands the value excellent neighborhood schools bring to the city and has prioritized this partnership during his tenure,” Bonfield remarked. “He has been a champion for HPISD’s interests, and we are incredibly grateful for his leadership.”
Reigning University Park Citizen of the Year, Bubble Lounge podcast host Martha Jackson, said she’ll never forget when Stewart called to inform her that she had received the honor.
“Mayor Stewart was incredibly warm and gracious, and it was clear he understood what that recognition meant to someone who truly loves this community,” Jackson said. “I was reminded of that same warmth recently at the children’s fishing derby at Caruth Park. In the middle of a very ordinary and very special Park Cities morning, Mayor Pro Tem Mark Aldredge and City Manager Robbie Corder waved me over to say hello to Mayor Stewart, and there we all were talking fishing stories while children proudly ran trout to the measuring table nearby.“
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