Route 663 on St. Croix renamed for community advocate Eddie Ortiz

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. and St. Croix Administrator Sammuel Sanes attended a ceremony in Estate Profit on Oct. 9, 2019, to rename Route 663 in honor of Eddie Ortiz, a longtime community advocate who died in 2015.

The government said the road runs from Queen Mary Highway past Central High School to Melvin H. Evans Highway and was officially renamed "Route 663 Eddie Ortiz Drive."

Ortiz was recognized for working with elected officials to improve roads and install streetlights and with police officials to address criminal activity in the neighborhood. He also was known for organizing Three Kings Day celebrations and raising money to buy gifts for children in the Hispanic community.

The legislation to rename the road and fund signage was proposed by Sanes while he served in the 32nd Legislature. Government House said the measure also was supported by Sens. Novelle Francis Jr., Neville James, Armando Liburd and Janette Millin Young.

Ortiz's nephew, Emerito Torres, also spoke at the ceremony. Others in attendance included Francis, Public Works Commissioner Nelson Petty Jr., Assistant Public Works Commissioner Dennis Brow, Ortiz's widow Carmen Villegas, his sister Carmen Ortiz, nephew Teleforo Ortiz and other family members.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-attends-ceremony-in-estate-profitto-name-route-633-in-honor-of-eddie-ortiz/