No Magic Wand: What It Really Takes to Revive a City

Episode 215 of The HaltingWinter Podcast
Guest: Ed Barrett, Retired City Manager (Bangor & Lewiston, ME)

What does it actually take to lead a city through transformation?

Not the kind that fits neatly in a press release. The kind that spans decades. That outlives your tenure. That turns brownfields into riverwalks, empty buildings into museums, and overlooked communities into regional anchors.

This week on The HaltingWinter Podcast, we’re joined by Ed Barrett, a legend in Maine’s municipal circles and a trusted leader who served as city manager in both Bangor and Lewiston. Over 22 years in Bangor, Ed helped orchestrate a full-scale downtown and waterfront revitalization that didn’t happen because of luck or flashy consultants. It happened because of commitment, process, and a refusal to settle for shortcuts.

“You can’t wave a magic wand and build a great city. You have to build community first and let the economy follow.”

In this candid conversation, Ed shares stories that will resonate with anyone navigating the tension of long-term vision and short-term political pressure. From supervising teams in Tucson’s explosive growth to managing multimillion-dollar infrastructure and development challenges in Maine, his leadership lessons are equal parts practical and profound.

Inside This Episode:

• Why most city managers don’t stay long enough to see real change—and why Ed did
• The most common mistake supervisors make (and how it affects morale and performance)
• What to do when a proposal doesn’t align with your strategic plan
• The truth about economic development and why it starts with quality of place
• How to create real public buy-in and political courage for bold decisions
• The leadership mindset shift from “What can I finish?” to “What foundation can I lay?”

This episode is a must-listen for municipal leaders wrestling with legacy projects, community frustration, and the pressure to deliver results yesterday. It’s a reminder that strategic patience, clarity of vision, and an unwavering commitment to community are the ingredients that actually shape thriving cities.

Listen now: Episode 215 – Ed Barrett: No Magic Wand

Presented by Zencity

This episode is made possible by our partners at Zencity, who believe the voices of our local government leaders, and the communities they serve, deserve to be heard.

Zencity helps public sector leaders engage with the full voice of their community, not just the Same Ten People (STPs) who always show up. Through real-time data and actionable insights, Zencity empowers cities and counties to make informed decisions, respond with confidence, and build trust through transparency.

Learn more about how Zencity is transforming community engagement at zencity.io or schedule a live demo of their amazing tools at the link below.

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The HaltingWinter Podcast celebrates and elevates the people who power local government. Through in-depth conversations with leaders from cities, counties, and communities of all sizes, host Seth Winterhalter explores the journeys, challenges, and innovations happening in municipal leadership across America.