Reading Community Development Director David Barr is retiring after a little more than a year in the post, ending a public-service career that took him from his hometown to projects around the world.
City Managing Director Jack Gombach announced Barr’s retirement during City Council’s regular meeting last week. Barr’s last day with the city was Aug. 28.
Barr, a Reading native, took over the department July 1, 2025, after being selected by Mayor Eddie Moran and confirmed by council.
He came to the city after a lengthy career in public service, code enforcement and construction planning with the U.S. Department of State.
“He is choosing to spend more time with his family, which is well earned after the career that he’s had traveling the world and supporting communities,” Gombach said. “We wish him all the best.”
Gombach credited Barr’s leadership with helping the city make progress in several areas, including downtown development, planning, codes, property maintenance and blight reduction.
“A lot of the work that I got to tout was because of his incredible leadership,” Gombach said.
David Barr, Reading director of community
A 1978 graduate of the former Central Catholic High School, Barr grew up in east Reading. Before joining the city’s staff, he held key positions managing construction, energy and facility planning for the federal government and received a Presidential Award for his work in energy conservation. He also led renovation and security projects around the world, including in Iraq and Pakistan.
Barr retired from his role with the Foreign Service in 2022 and subsequently worked as a consultant supporting diplomatic housing and construction projects before returning to Reading to work in city government.
Reading names new community development director
When Barr was appointed last year, Moran said his experience would help the city capitalize on opportunities created by the City Revitalization and Improvement Zone, or CRIZ, program and ongoing downtown and neighborhood investment.
Barr said at the time that Reading’s improved finances, the possibility of passenger rail, CRIZ and declining crime had created unusually favorable circumstances for revitalization.
Councilman Jaime Baez Jr. praised Barr during the meeting.
“I think he did such a phenomenal job, and I am certainly sad to see him go,” Baez said. “But I’m also happy for him in his retirement, especially after so many years of service.”
Councilman Raymond Baker also credited Barr with helping move city-owned properties into private hands for redevelopment.
Gombach said Moran has named him interim community development director while the city makes changes to the job description and prepares to advertise the position.