Crystal Crawford takes Mayoral seat in Del Mar, anticipates a
productive year in 2009, Del Mar’s 50th anniversary

By Matt Liebowitz

With several projects set to break ground and others in the works, Del Mar’s newly appointed Mayor Crystal Crawford expects 2009 to be a “wonderful year” for the city.
With council positions rotating yearly, Crawford, for the third time in her 10-year stint on the City Council, is serving as Mayor, replacing outgoing Mayor David Druker, who resigned from the Council in December.
The upcoming year is an important one, said Crawford, in that 2009 marks Del Mar’s 50th anniversary.
“It’s a special year,” Crawford said. “It’s a great time to look back at our accomplishments, and to give thought to what to do for the next 50 years.”
Those 2008 achievements include, notably, the approval of Garden Del Mar, the mixed-used development on 9th street, with construction set to begin this year, and the acquisition of the Shores property. Master Planning for the Shores site will begin in 2009, reported Crawford.
The restoration of the San Dieguito Lagoon, to be completed in 2009, is another project of which Crawford is especially proud.
Crawford believes the City Council has been successful in “stimulating discussions about downtown revitalization,” and she is eager to carry that momentum into her role as Mayor.
Under Crawford’s direction, the City will progress with its capital projects in the coming year; final designs on the 21st Street Pump Station are scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of the year, and, once funding is secured, groundbreaking is planned for late 2009. By the end of the year, designs will also be finalized on the Beach Safety Center at 17th Street.
“We just keep making progress,” Crawford said. “We finish one project and start another. The fun never stops.”
Of particular importance to Crawford for the past 10 years, and an issue she plans to address as Mayor, is the need for improved City facilities. Citing the “ancient” City Hall buildings, Crawford plans to address the issue of a new City Hall site. And though she’s adamant about it, she also recognizes the need to approach it in an orderly, disciplined fashion.
City Council has held workshops and preliminary planning sessions to discuss a new City Hall site, but Crawford said decisions on the site won’t be made until the Master Plan is created for the Shores property.
“I’ve learned, over the past 10 years in government service, that to be successful, you have to have patience.”
With 2009 presenting so many opportunities for the City of Del Mar, Crawford is eager to take on the challenge of serving as Mayor.
“It’s an honor to represent the community and city and work on issues the community thinks are important. It’s the best job I’ve ever had.”
Joking, she added, “It’s not the best paying job.”
Crawford credits not the City Council, but Del Mar’s active residents with the city’s success.
“The council carries out the wishes and dreams of our residents. We’re a successful little city, and it’s the people in the community who really make things happen.”