Nov. 9, 2002 – Tommy Starfish inaugurated his road signs Friday morning in an unveiling of sorts at the Renaissance Grand Beach Resort's wedding garden, which normally boasts another kind of veil.
Standing in front of the garden gazebo, Tommy displayed the five color-coded signs that are designed to help tourists, and residents, find their way around the island. Several years ago, numbered route signs were put around the island, but they have met with resistance from residents who claim not to understand them.
Angel Rojas, Public Works Department special assistant to the commissioner, laughed as he agreed with others at the ceremony that it is much easier to find something "down the corner from the Tamarind tree." Rojas was there to praise the St. Thomas-St. John Hotel and Tourism Association's hospitality focus group responsible for the signs.
Edwin Davis, Anti-Litter and Beautification Commission chairman, was equally pleased with the work Tommy had done with the signs. Tommy is directing his volunteer committee to have all signs in place by the end of the year. The commission gave the hospitality group a grant for the project, which was further funded by cash donations. "When the signage presentation was made to us, we were impressed," Davis said.
David Yamada, Renaissance general manager and hotel association president, introduced Tommy at the gathering. "Now we will be able to help our tourists and ourselves getting from here to there," he said.
The color-coded signs, which will circle the island are:
– Orange – from the airport to Red Hook.
– Green – from town to Magen's Bay.
– Yellow – from Mafolie to Crown Bay through the North Side.
– Red – from Smith Bay to Four Corners via Skyline Drive.
– Blue – from Havensight to Red Hook.
Many of the signs are already in place. A bright orange sign greets one at the Legislature building and again at Red Hook, with components en route.
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