EP 36: "You're Going to Ruin Our City!" - Kenzie Coulson’s Survival Guide to Controversial Parking Projects

In this episode of Harder Than It Looks, host Brian Wolff is joined by Kenzie Coulson, Parking and Mobility Consultant at Walker Consultants, known for leading high-stakes projects like Park City's paid parking rollout and Salt Lake City's City Creek parking overhaul. Kenzie shares behind-the-scenes stories about transforming emotionally charged parking environments, navigating complex municipal politics, and balancing leadership with vulnerability. Listen in to learn why "parking is never just about parking," and how understanding human dynamics can drive operational success. Key Takeaways: How to successfully introduce paid parking despite public resistance Navigating politics and internal silos within municipal projects Balancing decisive leadership with openness and vulnerability Strategic planning tactics to define clear measures of success How to empower your team by connecting daily actions to larger goals Episode Highlights: [00:00:00] Meet Kenzie Coulson – parking innovator and mobility consultant [00:02:31] Kenzie's unexpected start in parking management in Alaska [00:05:18] Leading transportation logistics for Sundance Film Festival [00:08:25] How Park City launched paid parking amid heavy resistance [00:11:13] Overhauling City Creek's massive 13,000-space facility [00:13:22] Navigating the challenge of introducing emotionally charged change [00:16:06] Effective strategies for breaking down organizational silos [00:18:09] The surprising power of vulnerability in leadership [00:20:07] Frameworks for successful strategic planning and implementation [00:22:37] Defining success in parking: deciding what matters most [00:26:06] Techniques to reduce negativity and boost team morale [00:32:30] Why great leaders redefine timelines and success metrics [00:34:25] Leadership vs. management – and why you need both [00:36:44] Empowerment in action: connecting frontline decisions to the big picture [00:42:08] Lightning Round About Kenzie Coulson: Kenzie Coulson is a Parking and Mobility Consultant at Walker Consultants, with over 25 years of experience transforming complex parking operations. She led groundbreaking projects including Park City Municipal’s paid parking implementation and Salt Lake City’s City Creek parking facility overhaul. Known for her strategic acumen and empathetic leadership style, Kenzie empowers municipalities and private operators nationwide to turn parking challenges into success stories. Learn more at www.parkertechnology.com Contact: [email protected]