Represents: 3rd Ward
Term: Jan 2008 - Dec 2011
Bellingham City Council Member Barry Buchanan was elected to the Council in 2007. In 2009, Council member Buchanan was elected by his fellow council members to serve as the City Council President. Council member Buchanan holds additional assignments as a Council liaison to the Bellingham Chamber of Commerce and the Police Pension Board.
Prior to serving on the Council, Mr. Buchanan was Chairman of the Lettered Streets Neighborhood Association from 2002-2006, and served as a Mayoral Neighborhood Advisory Commission Representative, and as the Chairman of the Whatcom County Democrats from 2001-2007.
Council member Buchanan is a native of Bellingham with a passion about this community and its future. Barry brings experience and a skill set in leadership and communication; working with, and bringing together diverse groups and opinions; and developing and implementing visions and goals.
During his time as Chair of the Lettered Streets Neighborhood Association, Council member Buchanan formed a Planning and Growth Management committee. This committee focused on polling residents in the Lettered Streets Neighborhood to prioritize where we should focus infill (i.e. Old Town Urban Village) and where we should protect the established single family areas.
Barry's professional career has focused on management, leadership, and communication. He currently serves as Vice President of Bianchi-Group Industrial Training, and General Manager for Doyle Training Co.
Additionally, he has had a long musical career. He has recorded 3 albums, co-founded the Bellingham High School Alumni Band, and is a choir and Instrumental Ensemble director for Trinity Lutheran Church in Bellingham.
Barry grew up in the Columbia Neighborhood and married his Bellingham High School sweetheart Judy in 1973. They have three grown children. Barry is a veteran of the United States Navy.
Lake Whatcom
He has stated we need to collaborate on a focused and long term initiative to:
Neighborhoods
Our neighborhoods are the backbone of our city. Barry believes that the vision of the people of Bellingham should determine the future of our community.
Local government has much to accomplish and the resources are limited. Engaging and empowering our citizens through Neighborhood Associations, Boards and Commissions is the best way to pool our resources to get things done.
Barry intends to focus effort on bringing together diverse interests to collaborate on strategies that will lead us to:
Waterfront Redevelopment
Council member Buchanan believes we need a strong team from the City Council to help develop a responsible plan for the redevelopment of Bellingham’s Waterfront.
Thorough cleanup, public access, open space and mixed commercial, marine related industrial and residential uses are his vision for the Waterfront District.
2317 D Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 734-6639
Email Council Member:
Barry Buchanan
Email All Council Members: City Council
