volume 29 issue no 1

1 EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER, VOL. 29, NO. 1, 2015

Bridges are structures that human beings use to overcome

natural barriers, through which we can allow access between

places. In life, bridges symbolize union, communication,

development, future.

For Don Hermenegildo Ortiz Quiones, better known as

Mereyo, he not only admired them as structures, but he

dedicated his life to building bridges, physical and emotional

ones, that allowed for the development of Puerto Rico. All of us

that knew him in one way or another, will remember him as a

man with vision, master of transformation, who left his legacy in

the infrastructure of Puerto Rico.

Don Hermenegildo distinguished himself both in academia and

practice. His vision on planning took him to the Graduate School

of Planning of the University of Puerto Rico as a professor.

EL PUENTE

CONTENT PAGE

Legacy of the Vision and Transformation of a

Country 1 & 3-5

Message from the Director 2

His Impact on Academia 6-7

An Example of Service to Puerto Rico 8-10

The Best Words Are Ones Own 11-14

Don Hermenegildo Ortiz Quiones: A Renaissance Man

15-17

Posthumous Tribute to Dr. Hermenegildo Ortiz Quiones

18-19

The Livable City, Our Dear Mereyos Dream 20-21

In Honor to the Memory of my Father 22

Hermenegildo Ortiz Quiones: A Puerto Rican for

History 23

Bridging the Gap: A Memory of the Teodoro

Moscoso Bridge 24-27

In Memoriam

An Extraordinary Public Servant and Planner with a Passion for Transportation

Volume 29, Number 1, 2015 | Special Edition Dr. Hermenegildo Ortiz Quiones

Puerto Rico Transportation Technology Transfer Center University of Puerto Rico, Mayagez Campus

Legacy of the Vision and Transformation of a Country

By: Eng. Miguel A. Torres Daz, Secretary DTOP

Continued on page 3

2 TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER

During the last 30 years, El Puente has served as a source of information for municipal and transportation public works officials, as well as the people of Puerto Rico, regarding emerging projects and initiatives associated with transportation that will benefit present and future generations and improve quality of life to all our stakeholders.

In this Special Edition of El Puente, transportation and government leaders from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico recognize Dr. Hermenegildo Ortiz Quiones, Mereyo, an extraordinary public servant, engineer, planner, and professor, who has dedicated all of his life to serve our country, for a better quality of life for all the residents of our beloved island. Furthermore, family members, friends, students, and colleagues have accepted our invitation to document his early years as an outstanding baseball player, a great son, and family man, as well as his impact as a planning professor, administrator, and planner, significantly contributing to the overall social-economic sustainable development of the built transportation infrastructure of the Island.

The feature article presented by Eng. Miguel A. Torres, DTPW Secretary, recounts the successful trajectory of Mereyo through his work in this administrative agency with emphasis in public private partnership (PPP) and public transportation initiatives. The President of the University of Puerto Rico, Dr. Uroyon Walker, presents the contributions of Mereyo in the Academia, particularly highlighting his work as Dean of the School of Planning at UPR Ro Piedras. Planner Gabriel Andrs Rodrguez Fernndez, Past President of the Puerto Rican Planning Society, former Assistant to the DTPW Secretary in Planning and disciple of Mereyo, relates his contributions as a DTPW secretary, as President of the Planning Board, specifically in the reorganization of public transportation in the San Juan Metropolitan Area. Esquire and Planner Reynaldo Alegra, shares Mereyos anecdotes at different historic moments of his life. This article forms part of the posthumous tribute where family members and friends gave their final farewells.

Engineer Jos Pepe Izquierdo Encarnacin, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Puerto Rico and past Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Public Works, and Secretary of State, shares Mereyos personal and political life. Through the experiences shared, he presents how he made a positive contribution politically, socially, and economically to his beloved Puerto Rico.

In terms as his role as a son, father and grandfather, his daughter Mara del C. Ortiz Pajarn, describes him as the great human being and as a role model. Furthermore, she states that her fathers greatness lies in his unconditional and intense love he had for what he did, and devoted himself to love without reservations, completely, and without fear. In her second article, presents us with a reflection of the person that made up her father. She recounts how he worked tirelessly to become a better person and at the same time help our country through the academia and other positions he held in the government. Planner Martha Bravo Colunga shares with us Mereyos great dreams for Puerto Rico, the Livable City, and her experiences as a student, assistant and colleague.

Osvaldo Gil, Esq. a longtime friend of Mereyo, shares his experiences during his childhood, his baseball days in Humacao and Mayagez, and Juncos AA League, and how they maintained their friendship over three quarters of a century.

The last key note address presented by Mereyo was at the transportation engineering week as part of the 100th Anniversary of the Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagez. This masterpiece shows his integrated vision as a planner, engineer, and administrator that includes the first APP project in the island, the Teodoro Moscoso Bridge.

My dear colleague and longtime friend Mereyo: Thank you once again for your friendship and wise advice during my professional career as a consultant in transportation and for sharing your vision of a livable city of a balanced, integrated, and efficient public transportation system for present and future generations. Rest in peace my dear friend. Your wise advice have certainly made a profound effect on so many professionals in our island and will continue to be an inspiration in the years to come to those that are passionate to this field of transportation.

Benjamn Colucci Ros


Third, the Teodoro Moscoso Bridge was the first

public toll bridge in the Western Hemisphere to be

built using private financing or what we know today

as a Public Private Partnership.

In a balanced perspective between civil engineer

and planner, Mereyo was very clear on defending

and giving priority to pedestrians. His north was

always the people, Puerto Ricans, for whom he

created one of his iconic proposals, the concept of

the Livable City. The livable city is that of healthy

coexistence, the city that lives safe 24 hours, the city

that links people to physical facilities and activities.

The livable city is the city in which people walk,

become socially involved, and that in which the total

interrelation produces a great quality of life.

For this reason and as continuity of this future vision

of Mereyos, we are pushing forward the concept of

Complete Streets where we look to balance the

planning, design, and construction of pedestrian and

cyclist projects in Puerto Rico. These have as a

priority to achieve that we can share public spaces,

and where we provide safe pedestrian access routes

and mass transit systems for children, teens, adults,

and people with mobility challenges.

Mereyo proposed in various articles and interviews

that pedestrians should be provided with the

necessary tools to move freely in their environment,

without the need of a vehicle. This is the one and

only way in which mass transit and its elements are

coherent in the fiber of our infrastructure planning

and development.

Today, as Secretary of the Department of

Transportation and Public Works, I go back to the

decades of the 80s and 90s and I confess that the

work of Don Hermenegildo in the Department was

titanic.

During his term he led projects, which, to this day,

residents as well as visitors of Puerto Rico, can

enjoy. We can highlight at least three of these

projects which he had the opportunity to develop.

First, the bridge over the Caguana River in Utuado

which was the first curved prestressed concrete

bridge in Puerto Rico which was built using the

technique of incremental launching.

Second, the overpass bridges along the Ramn

Baldorioty de Castro Expressway were the first in

Puerto Rico and perhaps the world to be built in 72

hours. The novel design of these overpasses gained

him praise from then Governor of the

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Rafael Hernndez

Coln.

The Caguana River Bridge built with the

Incremental Launching Technique

Teodoro Moscoso Bridge over the San Jos Lagoon:

First Public Private Partnership Project in the

Western Hemisphere using private financing

Baldorioty de Castro Expressway Overpass

Eng. Miguel A. Torres Diaz Secretary

Department of Transportation and Public

Works (DTPW)

Mereyo: Legacy of the Vision and Transformation of a Country


he felt was really important: freedom of mobility for

the people.

As part of this vision, Mereyo managed to launch the

beginnings of the Urban Train, one of the many

projects that could help to improve the mobility in our

city and in Puerto Rico.

Following Mereyos legacy and thoughts, it is very

important for us to develop a transportation model

that includes an integrated system. It is because of

this that today we are rethinking mass transit as a

single entity, which was created by Law 123 of 2014,

This city model focused more on humans and less in

automobiles. Mereyo believed in the necessity of a

convenient and reliable Transit System for the

citizens.

Although he lived in love with bridges, he was

certain that the development of a Transit System

would be the future of Puerto Rico, not as a

solution in of in itself, but as a complement to what

The Livable City concept applied to

Condado and Old San Juan

Proposed project for the entrance to Old San Juan with the elements of the Livable City

Mereyo was

honest and a

laudable

example of

what it means

to be a public

servant and for

more than fifty

years of his life

he served his

country in one

form or

another.

Eng. Miguel A.

Torres Daz

Old San Juan: A Livable City Experience



the island. He was a man that shortened distances,

strengthened ties, aggrandized the public system

with honorability, dedication, and commitment.

Today I feel honored to occupy the position that for

three years Don Hermenegildo occupied. Without

any doubt, his work has transformed thousands of

lives that use the projects that he accomplished.

Furthermore, his legacy is an example of devotion to

public service. For me, Mereyo is an example and

inspiration to continue his legacy.

Rest in peace dear Mereyo that

while you observe

us with your

everlasting smile,

it is our time to

continue working

together to lead

Puerto Rico

toward success.

denominated the Integrated Transit Authority (ATI in

Spanish).

ATI has the responsibility to continue cultivating the

seed that Mereyo planted for almost three decades

with the integration of the Urban Train, the buses

and the ferries not only in the metropolitan area, but

also wherever pedestrian community can benefit

from mass transit for their freedom of mobility.

As you can see, Puerto Rico had the contribution of a

human being that distinguished himself for being a

visionary whose influence still radiates on those of us

must now give continuity to the solutions our country

needs.

The Department of Transportation and Public Works

had a secretary that accomplished transforming the

countrys highway system and demonstrated that

there is talent in Puerto Rico to compete with the

best in the world.

Mereyo was honest and a laudable example of what

it means to be a public servant and for more than

fifty years of his life he served his country in one form

or another. He was focused on unifying people and

promoting the economic and social development of

Although all

his life he loved

bridges, he was

certain that the

development

of a Transit

System would

be the future

of Puerto Rico,

not as a

solution in of in

itself, but as a

complement to

what he felt

was really

important:

freedom of

mobility for the

people.

Eng. Miguel A.

Torres Daz


Presenting the Public Transportation System for the Metropolitan Area of San Juan to Eng.

Miguel Roa President, College of Engineers and Surveyors of Puerto Rico


When referring to public service, the vision and

models that contribute to a better quality of life, it

is imperative to review the important contribution

of Doctor Hermenegildo Ortiz Quiones.

Mereyo, as his friends, students and colleagues

would call him, was a public servant of

unquestionable integrity. He was an engineer,

planner, professor, and academic. Puerto Rico had

the great fortune of having him as one of its most

distinguished public servants. He dedicated the best

of his lineage with his smile, spirit, intellect and

outstanding training- to make Puerto Rico a better

place to live and coexist. Without a doubt, he is one

of the most outstanding and prominent Puerto

Ricans of this era.

In public service he led some of the main

government agencies. It is fair to highlight that his

feat did not only have an impact on our lives, but

also in the present and, definitely in the future of

our archipelago.

While serving as Secretary for Transportation and

Public Works, and later as President of the Planning

Board of Puerto Rico, Mereyo oversaw some of the

most important infrastructure projects. He designed

the strategies for the development and led present

and future plans for the growth of and for the

country. His passage was defined by his integrity,

administrative skill and creativity. When he was

eliminating physical difficulties in the city, providing

and presenting solutions for our mobility problems,

and in so doing, improving the quality of life for all

citizens, Mereyo was a visionary.

In the Department of

Transportation and

Public Works, Mereyo

was an innovator. In a

creative manner he

launched some of the

most outstanding and

defying projects we

have seen in this

country. Examples of

such works are the

Teodoro Moscoso

Bridge, the first public

private partnership in

Puerto Rico; the

construction of

overpasses along the Baldorioty de Castro Avenue,

with fast construction technology, in just 72 hours;

the curved bridge over the Caguana River in Utuado,

which in its time was the first double curvature build

bridge using incremental launching. He also gave life

to El Tren Urbano, the Urban Train, an idea that

languished since the 70s in Puerto Ricos

transportation plans.

His Impact in Academia

Dr. Uroyon Walker Ramos,

President of the University of Puerto Rico


Since his time in the Planning Board, Ortiz Quiones

instituted the philosophy of peaceful coexistence,

the basis for what he aptly called the livable city. He

emphasized the importance of organizing our urban

areas in an integrated manner to strengthen the

human networks that lead to quality of life. He put

the urban fabric at the disposition of the people.

Today, decades later, we still strive for Mereyos

Livable City, through the implementation of concepts,

of complete streets in which we all take our place

in perfect harmony pedestrians, drivers and cyclists-

; and development oriented towards mass transit.

However, of the positions he held outside of his

appointments as a cabinet member, was that of an

academic at the Ro Piedras Campus of the University

of Puerto Rico. All of Puerto Rico remembers Mereyo

as one of its most esteemed academics. He was part

of the group that founded the School of Planning. He

held leadership positions in the University during his

academic life. Mereyo, Dean of Students for the Ro

Piedras Campus, with his big smile and sincere,

friendly personality and ability to create dialogue and

consensus without being confined to the process,

was able to create an environment of peace and

stability in a University and a Campus marked by the

disturbances during the beginning of the decade of

the 80s.

As a professor, Dr. Ortiz Quiones devoted himself to

the education process of our people, in which he

always worked convinced that it was a great duty in

which he made important contributions. Mereyos

legacy, the professor, survives him and will influence

His Impact in Academia

Integrated Approach Zone

Concrete Parapets

our lives for many years. As a show of respect and

appreciation of him by his university, it is enough to

see his past students of the School of Planning of

the Ro Piedras Campus during his honor guard at

the Posthumous Tribute from the Roundabout of

the Ro Piedras Campus. There, generations of

planning professionals guided by his vision and

wisdom, touched by his smile, integrity and

excellence, paid him a fitting tribute.

The country and the University of Puerto Rico have

a great debt of gratitude with the engineer, doctor,

academic, director, dean, secretary, and Puerto

Rican who was proud of his heritage, Hermenegildo

Ortiz Quiones, for whom the university classroom

was always the place where he felt the most

comfortable; the place where he felt fully achieved,

without conditions nor perks, of his civic

responsibility.

We will miss don Hermenegildo Ortiz Quiones

throughout the halls of this university, which he so

deeply loved. We will miss him for his always

friendly personality, for his inevitable commitment

with the great

Puerto Rican

causes and for

his elevated

principles and

ideas of

wellbeing for

his people,

which dictated

each and every

one of his

actions. The

memory of the

person who

made the Ro

Piedras Campus his University will remain forever a

university legacy. His dedication to public service

will forever remain as an example to follow for

current and future public servants of Puerto Rico.

Even though we know he will be always present in

each and every life he touched with his life lessons.

Let us always follow his example of service to our

country.

Rest in peace don Hermenegildo Ortiz Quiones, a great academic, a magnificent Puerto Rican.

At the Ceremony celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Graduate

School of Planning of the University of Puerto Rico, 2005

We will miss

him for his

always friendly

personality, for

his inevitable

commitment

with the great

Puerto Rican

causes and for

his elevated

principles and

ideas of

wellbeing for his

people, which

dictated each

and every one

of his actions.

Dr. Uroyon

Walker Ramos


resign rather than become an accomplice of false

development. As inheritance he left us an outline for a

new planning law and the vision of accessible and livable

cities.

From that short time as President of the PB we should

also remember that he even valiantly faced the Navy.

Specifically, on December 13, 2001, without first even

consulting with the Governor, he denied the Navy an

extension of their permission to continue military

practices in Vieques, a permission always granted by his

predecessors. His stance helped the growing national

movement against military practices and bombing, and

on May 1, 2003 the Navy left Vieques.

Notwithstanding the above, it is his work as Secretary of

Transportation and Public Works which is remembered

by most people. In barely four years, he transformed the

DTOP and its agencies, performing a well-planned job of

"institutional engineering".

When named in 1989, he quickly began consolidating a

small group of offices in what he called Secretariado,

ascribed to the Secretarys Office. The Secretariado

coordinated and supervised activities throughout the

umbrella Department, so different areas and agencies

could efficiently work together. Every Monday at 7:00

AM he assembled the heads of these offices and those of

various areas and agencies under the Department, to

discuss the work schedule and have each one report on

how they were advancing on their tasks. In this manner,

we all knew and supported each other to achieve

common goals. More than one Director failed the test

and could not continue to be part of that team.

Difficult decisions were made to address problems of

squandering and corruption, while improving workers

conditions. From what was the Division of Motor

Vehicles (where some employees even worked shirtless

keeping files in old warehouses at Isla Grande) he

Writing about Dr. Hermenegildo Ortiz Quiones (the

great Mereyo) is a challenge that can be considered

easy yet at the same time almost impossible. Many

facts and stories worth sharing quickly come to mind,

but choosing and organizing them is not easy. Let's

see.

You may have heard that he was an athlete, playing

baseball for the Mayagez AA team while studying

engineering. Less known is that, even in his seventies

he still ran the Teodoro Moscoso 10k marathon,

perhaps in the way recalling how, in a few years, he

managed to take that bridge from being a concept, a

line hand-drawn on a map, to becoming the iconic

entrance to the international airport. This, while using

virtually no public resources in the process; only

imagination, commitment and will. As such, he created

an innovative civil engineering project, yet also one of

innovative financial engineering, which in fact laid the

foundation for making other large projects viable,

though they were later deterred by the political

struggles we suffer daily.

You may not know that, being (proudly) a black Puerto

Rican from the Humacao public schools, amid the

fierce discrimination of the 50s in the US, he

completed a Masters Degree in Urban and Regional

Planning at Harvard, and a Ph.D. from Cornell

University. From there he returned to serve his people,

including helping establish the Graduate School of

Planning of the University of Puerto Rico, where he

excelled in training generations of planners from all

over Latin America.

Those of us who had the privilege of working with him

will not forget his stunning smile and humility. With

that smile he even disarmed the student leadership of

the UPR at Ro Piedras, who found themselves at a loss

on how to protest against the Administration, when

Dr. Ortiz, while Dean of Students, opened his doors

and offered dialogue.

As President of the Planning Board (PB), Dr. Ortiz tried

to strengthen the agency and guide the country

towards a truly sustainable development. He used to

say that in order to lead us towards a balanced

development", as officially supported by "everyone",

first we had to push the balance in the opposite

direction to which it had leaned for decades, with a

disorderly growth. He claimed that "to balance" only

prospectively would perpetuate many existing

problems. Suffice it to say that powerful influences

soon pressed against him at all levels, and he chose to

An Example of Service to Puerto Rico

Awarding DTOP employees during the Womens Week

celebration

Gabriel A. Rodrguez Fernndez,

President of the Puerto Rican Planning

Society


created the Directory for Driver Services and the

network of CESCOs, computerizing processes. Under the

Directorate of Public Works, regional DTOP offices

collaborated, with greater autonomy, with those of the

Highway Authority on addressing municipal problems.

He reinforced the work of beautification and

maintenance of roadsides, harmonizing it with the

development and operation of the highway system.

Thanks to that vision, today we can see how a road in

Rincon was widened, doubling its capacity, while at the

same time the ancient trees that lined the old road were

protected, simply by realigning the additional lanes on

the other side of the trees. Small urban forests at major

intersections in the Metro Area are also part of his

legacy.

At the same time, Dr. Ortiz directly participated in

studies leading to a Transportation Plan. He integrated

planning with ongoing decision making, and by the time

he completed and adopted the Plan, it had already

redefined the entire investment program in the state

highway system, as well as the work schedule for the

development of a multimodal mass transportation

system for the Metropolitan Area of San Juan.

To address transit challenges, he faced the crisis that

always plagued the Metropolitan Bus Authority,

dramatically reducing staff and the paralyzing control of

labor unions. This increased effectiveness and efficiency

in the agency. In a brave and very calculated gesture, he

appropriated the MBAs Route # 1 and assigned it to the

newly redefined Highway and Transportation Authority

(HTA), to operate it as the Metrobus, a premium bus

service under a new concept of contracted operators.

The new operation was supported by studies, physical

improvements and marketing, but was also audited in

every detail of its operation, and supervised by the

Secretary, who stood at Ponce de Leon Avenue to check

for himself the systems compliance with schedules and

frequency of service.

At that time the Acuaexpreso, which had faced

planning, design and financing problems since concept,

was also reorganized and completed. The Ports

Authority and in particular the Fajardo-Vieques-Culebra

ferry system also made improvements while he was in

charge of DTOP.

Under the direction of Dr. Ortiz, the Highway Authority

(HA) became the multimodal Highway and

Transportation Authority (HTA). The agency then had a

Deputy Executive Director for Highway Infrastructure,

and a Deputy Executive Director for Planning and

Transit Development. These responsibilities were not

seen as conflictive but complementary, under a vision

that also generated new policies for parking and for the

integrated management, operation and maintenance of

transportation systems.

Dr. Ortiz was well aware of budget limitations and that

the plans for transportation systems development and

operation would require additional funding. He thus

ordered financial studies that generated proposals for

gradual increases in tolls and gasoline taxes, with part

of these revenues dedicated to mass transit

development and operations. The rejection of this

systemic vision and gradualist approach, by the upper

levels of partisan politics (those of that time and those

who followed), together with decisions that reduced

the scope yet multiplied the cost of transit projects,

stand out among the reasons that brought us to the

fiscal collapse of agencies and large, sudden tax

increases, among other present-day problems.

The system approach led to consideration of a variety

of elements during project planning. For example, upon

his arrival to DTOP in 1989, Dr. Ortiz found the proposal

for something called Metrobus, under development as

a special project in the MBA. There, an engineer was

attempting to mechanically transfer the bus system of

Curitiba in Brazil into San Juans reality. Using a system

approach (and common sense) Dr. Ortiz transformed

the proposal to a system that in the short term could

represent a significant improvement in mobility

between Rio Piedras and Old San Juan.

Not only was the concept considered and transformed

in two years, but careful thought and attention was

given to the identity of the operator, the selection

method, the condition of pavements and bus stops,

vehicles, fare, schedule and frequency, interaction with


Dr. Ortiz was

a great son,

brother,

husband, father,

grandfather and

Friend. He

wrote, taught,

played, planted

and sowed;

He received

dozens of

tributes and

never stopped

being humble,

cheerful and

helpful.

Gabriel A.

Rodrguez

Fernndez,

SPP President Press Conference of the Metrobs Project with Hctor Luis Acevedo, Former Mayor of the City of San Juan


Puerto Rico. Confronted by his smile and arguments,

senior federal officials came to understand that Puerto

Rico was indeed different from, say, Florida, and certain

requirements should be applied with flexibility to

efficiently meet our needs. That is what made possible El

Tren Urbano (San Juans Metro) and various other

infrastructure projects.

In other venues of his life, Dr. Ortiz was a great son,

brother, husband, father, grandfather and Friend. He

wrote, taught, played, planted and sowed; was part of

and directed civic, religious and patriotic institutions, and

even a newspaper. He received dozens of tributes and

never stopped being humble, cheerful and helpful.

Wrapping up the activities in tribute to Dr. Ortiz at the

Puerto Rico State Department, this past 7th of January, a

journalist, impressed by the patriotic and public service

history of el Gran Mereyo and others of his generation,

was heard saying: "We dont make them like this

anymore. Soon we will no longer have public servants to

whom pay tributes like this." It would seem so, but

through this article I exhort students and young

professionals, who just now are torn between Puerto

Ricos economic crisis and the lure of "a better quality of

life" someplace else, to take up the challenge and

example of Dr. Hermenegildo Ortiz and, like him, serve

this country with passion, from their particular

professions and realities, and build a better future for

ourselves and our descendants.

Gabriel Andrs Rodrguez Fernndez, PPL, MP, MCIT Disciple of Mereyo

other routes and public carriers, operation regulations

of bus lanes, the sequence of traffic lights,

maintenance facilities and terminals. He even created

a new parking police unit (involving organization,

regulations, new laws, uniforms, recruitment and

training, etc.) to ensure that parked vehicles would not

affect bus operations. A promotion and marketing

program was also structured, with students recruited

to guide users at major bus stops during the system

launch. The Secretary watched as a bus route that

barely moved a million passengers a year grew to

transport 7.2 million passengers its first year, despite a

higher fare.

In spite of the new emphasis on mass transportation,

during this four-year term HTA accelerated many large

highway projects and paid close attention to the

required and scheduled maintenance of the highway

system and its bridges. The Bridge Evaluation Office

was strengthened and the Pavements Management

Office was created, including the acquisition of the first

vehicle specialized in highway condition assessment.

Innovative projects, recipients of international awards,

were built in record time. These included the Caguana

Bridge, the Teodoro Moscoso Bridge and the twin

overpasses at Baldorioty Expressway (Don

Hermenegildo always liked bridges).

He called for sovereign powers for Puerto Rico sine the

times when it was not considered prudent (or even

legal) to express such views, and yet, he also cultivated

very good relationships with federal agencies,

achieving recognition and funding for projects in


A bridge is a

link, a

junction, it is

joining from

the most basic

to the virtual

port that can

be conceived

as a bridge

between

cities.

Hermenegildo

Ortiz Quiones


The best way to describe Dr. Hermenegildo Ortiz

Quiones as I say farewell to him is by using his own

words:

I was born in Humacao, the Grey City of Puerto

Rico, and grew up between poor people and

wealthy people, between people with culture and

those who lacked it; in a town where everyone, in

some way, discussed with our political leaders

what we wanted for our town at the drug store,

at the barber shop, at the coffee shop, at the

town square, at church; in a town where we

walked to school and to the park; in a town

where we knew our heroes and characters; a

town that had sidewalks on which we could walk

and the children who had them could ride their

bicycles; a town where activities were

interrelated: the home, the store, the hospital; a

safe town where one could walk at any time; a

town where the automobile was unnecessary

because public transportation was efficient. A

livable city.

His manners, his tone of voice, his never-ending smile,

his passion for life left a mark in everything he did.

The best words are ones own:

Im not an opponent of free speech. Part of two

of the most discriminated minorities in the world,

I studied at Harvard when blacks and whites were

still segregated; and at Cornell, when I was the

only black and Puerto Rican there that was doing

a PhD. I am not against people expressing

themselves with openness and freedom.

When we close this chapter in modern Puerto Rican

history, Hermenegildo Ortiz Quiones will hold a very

important place as a family man, teacher, engineer,

planner, statesman, polemicist, and great Puerto

Rican. His work, his bridge, his train, his family, his

friends, will remain for our celebration and enjoyment

and for that of generations to come.


I dont know how it was, and perhaps I cant

clearly remember when, but one day before

being an engineer I fell in love with bridges.

Their design, their construction, their ingenuity,

and the problems they solve. A bridge, in its most

common definition is something that is built and

above which one can pass. Yet in its broadest

expression a bridge is a link, a junction, it is

joining from the most basic to the virtual port

that can be conceived as a bridge between

cities.

In my professional life there are three bridges,

three important projects that began

construction or were completed during my term

as Secretary of Transportation and Public Works

[] which I understand deserve special

distinction for their clear contribution [] to the

development of the country.

These three projects are: first, the bridge over

the Caguana [sic] River, in Utuado; second, the

overpasses of the Baldorioty de Castro

Expressway; and [] third, the Teodoro Moscoso

Bridge over San Jose Lagoon. Each one of these

projects has its own history and particular

importance in the development of Puerto Ricos

highway infrastructure. All three of them are

living examples of how to use engineering and

management, administration and financial

knowledge in service of a better quality of life

for Puerto Ricans. For, somehow, the three

projects were innovative.

The bridge over the Caguana River in Utuado

was the first pre-stressed curved concrete

bridge built in Puerto Rico and, perhaps in the

world, using the technique of incremental

launching.

The overpasses of the Ramon Baldorioty de

Castro Expressway were the first to be installed

Puerto Rico in less than 72 hours, and perhaps

in the world. The Teodoro Moscoso Bridge was

the first public toll bridge in the western

hemisphere built using private financing.

The Best Words Are Ones Own

Dr. Hermenegildo Ortiz inspecting the construction

of the Caguana River Bridge on PR-10

Reynaldo R. Alegra, Esq. Lawyer and Economic

Planner


judicial and moral basis, created a crisis between

governments. When he was asked to appear at La

Fortaleza [Puerto Rico Governors Office] to defend his

position, he left a letter of resignation in a drawer in

his desk. It was not necessary to use it. On May 1st,

2003, the Navy left Vieques.

Student of the Humacao public school system and the

College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts of

Mayaguez where he earned a Bachelors of Science in

Civil Engineering in 1953, he also obtained a Masters

Degree in Urban and Regional Planning at Harvard

University and a Doctorate in Philosophy at Cornell

University.

As a model public servant, Hermengildo Ortiz

Quiones dedicated more than 50 years of his

professional life to government work. He worked at

the Planning Board as an employee, as a Board

Member, and as President; he headed the

Department of Transportation and Public Works; he

was a municipal assemblyman for San Juan y was very

close to all governors in the Popular Democratic Party.

As an academic he was a distinguished Student and

athlete; he was a professor, Director of the Graduate

School of Planning and Dean of Students; after retiring

he continued to teach courses on Planning and Public

Administration. He published hundreds of articles,

gave countless speeches and wrote academic and

personal books, like the one he wrote when he did the

St. James's Trail [Camino de Santiago] with his son,

daughters and grandchildren.

As a politician he was a member of the mythical group

known as Vanguardia Popular [Popular Vanguard] and

of the so-called Group of 22 [Grupo de los 22]; he lived

through the most neuralgic times for the Popular

Democratic Party next to its leaders; he called himself

a sovereignist even when it was not considered wise

to use that word in the Popular Democratic Party; he

ran for Senator for San Juan and was vice-president of

the Puerto Rican Democratic Action Foundation

[Fundacin Accin Democrtica Puertorriquea].

In the civil and institutional life he presided the Board

of Regents of the Central University and was member

of Board of Directors of the Presbyterian Hospital and

the Felisa Rincon de Gautier Foundation; he was

General Manager of the Palique Newspaper, among

many others. I am not afraid to admit that that I must

have forgotten dozens of other works.

Even though many important things were not

Perhaps now you may understand better why,

when I travel around the world, schedule

special time to visit bridges, because to this

day, I live deeply in love with them.

As a statesman, Hermenegildo Ortiz Quiones

convinced many, including Governor Rafael

Hernandez Colon, whom he convinced to turn

Piero Avenue into an Expressway instead of

Roosevelt Avenue, as he promised during his

campaign. Yet more importantly, he convinced him

to retake the project for the train, which had been

shelved.


[] the development and construction of a

modern mass transit system [meant] forty

years of consistent and fighting efforts from

the Department of Transportation and Public

Works, the blessings of five governors and one

female governor and the firm and sure

steering of at least nine Secretaries of

Transportation and Public Works.

[] Thus, construction of the first tract of the

Urban Train has been possible more for the

vision, passion, and tenacity of many, that like

relay runners have been passing the baton for

forty years from administration to

administration, than for the more than 3

billion dollars in planning and construction.

As a statesman and public servant, Hermenegildo

Ortiz Quiones, faced great challenges. On

December 13th, 2001, as President of the Puerto Rico

Planning Board, he sent a letter to Captain H.J.

Kircher, Chief of Staff for the Southeast Region of

the United States Navy, denying their permit to

continue military operations on the island of

Vieques. The Boards determination, founded on a


His manners,

his tone of

voice, his

never-ending

smile, his

passion for life

left a mark in

everything he

did.

Lic. Reynaldo

Alegra,

Lawyer and

Economic

Planner

Presenting the Mass Transit System Project for the

Metropolitan Area of San Juan at the CIAPR


completed, Mereyos plan was drafted. Thus, after a

year of work he wrote and recommended a new

planning law and left clear instructions.


The livable city is the city of healthy

convenience, the city of safe living 24 hours a

day, the city that links people to physical

facilities and activities. The livable city is the

city that is walkable, the one where people are

socially active and where the total

interrelationship produces an overall quality of

life.

[] I am talking about bringing closer the use of

physical spaces; allowing people to effectively

use available services and activities to their

fullest. Take for example [] this part of

Santurce. All around us we have hospitals,

businesses, churches, parks, discotheques,

banks, a museum, a soon to be train station,

bars and pubs, cafeterias and restaurants,

services of every kind, including various

government agencies. Thousands of people

come every day, sometimes from very far away

to enjoy the activities that we have here, dont

you think it logical that more people could and

should live here? Wouldnt life be easier for

some people if they live in this part of Santurce?

However, is it easy to walk in this neighborhood

and access these facilities, or do we have to deal

with automobiles so they wont run us over,

with the sun so it wont melt us and with thieves

so they wont mug us?

Imagine having wide and comfortable sidewalks

in this neighborhood, planted with lush trees,

for it to be possible to walk to the supermarket

or the hospital under a blanket of shade and

cool air, that in the evenings and nights we could

use the park, not only to walk our pets, but to

have a conversation with friends. That we could

walk along our streets and trails without having

holes in our sidewalks. That we could jog or walk

to exercise, without fear of being mugged.

On the personal level, Hermenegildo Ortiz Quiones

married Carmen Pajarn 53 years ago, an

extraordinary woman with whom he had three

wonderful children, Carmencita, Alicia and Julio, who

gave him five beautiful grandchildren: Antonio, son of

Alicia; Monica and Sofia, daughters of Carmen; and Lia

and Ramon, children of Julio and Liliana. He had the

pleasure of having exceptional siblings and loving

nieces and nephews both from his siblings as well as

his wife.

As a teacher, Mereyo also left instructions. In his

own words:

In these past years, I have studied the life and

work of Master Rafael Cordero Molina. It is

instructive, fascinating and a model for future

generations. The Master was born in 1790 and

died in 1868, a time in which slavery still

reigned. In 1810, Master Rafael, a son of freed

blacks, opened a free school to educate white,

black, and mulatto children. Many Puerto

Ricans who later held important roles in the

cultural life of the country, began their

education at the school of Master Cordero.

One of them was Alejandro Tapia y River. Don

Alejandro was one of the first to write about

Master Rafael Cordero. In his Memoirs, Tapia y

Rivera wrote that the Master had a wise way

of teaching the heart.

We usually speak of teaching the mind, but not

the heart. So I ask myself: how did Master

Rafael teach his pupils hearts? How can we

interpret Alejandro Tapia y Rivera when he says

that Master Cordero had a wise way of

teaching the heart?

In an article for the Master Rafael Cordero

Circle, I reached the conclusion that when

Master Cordero taught from the heart to the

children, he was teaching kindness,

compassion, to be loving, to be generous, to be

tolerant, to be honest and sincere, to have

courage. Traits that would accompany them all

of their life so that when they would exercise

their minds and later made sound decisions, as

required of kind, charitable, conscious and

compassionate people aware of the misfortune

of their peers.

Sofia Victoria is one of his granddaughters. In the

words of Sofia Victoria:

Thus I can only say that his existence is proof of

a life well invested, a full life. That each and

every one of his loved ones are echoes of his

convictions, of his life lessons, of his love, and

of his joy with his eternal smile.


Thus I can only

say that his

existence is

proof of a life

well invested, a

full life. That

each and every

one of his loved

ones are echoes

of his

convictions, of

his life lessons,

of his love and

of his joy with

his eternal

smile.

Sofa Victoria,

Granddaughter

of Hermenegildo

Ortiz


The Governor of Puerto Rico has decreed January 7th,

2015 as a national day of mourning in memory of Dr.

Hermenegildo Ortiz Quiones. On that day, at 11:00

AM, the Secretary of State, Dr. David Bernier, calls us

to join him in the Activities Hall at the Department of

State where the activity Anecdotes of Mereyo will be

held. There, past governor Rafael Hernandez Colon

will be the guest speaker remembering Mereyo and

those of you who wish may join us. On that day, when

public servants arrive at their workplaces and citizens

go to receive service, flags on all public buildings in

Puerto Rico will fly at half-mass to honor the memory

of a loving husband, an exceptional father, an

obedient son, a caring brother, an untarnished public

servant, a master teacher, a great Puerto Rican, a

patriot.

In San Juan, Puerto Rico, on January 3rd, 2015.

Antonio Vega is his grandson. In the words of

Antonio Vega:

Chief, you left without warning. Always

thinking of us. Thank you for guiding this

family for so many years! You were a

wonderful human being and taught us what

its like to work hard for what we want. Your

humility and eternal joy always left an

impression on Puerto Rico and also on your

family. Yesterday you became one of my

favorite memories! I loved you and always will

love you. You were the greatest thing that

ever happened to this family. Guide us from

heaven as you did on earth. I will always be

your leader and dont worry for I will watch

over your family and our name! I will always

love you Wewo.


Yesterday you

became one of

my favorite

memories! I

loved you and

always will love

you. You were

the greatest

thing that ever

happened to

this family.

Guide us from

heaven as you

did on earth.

Antonio Vega,

Grandson of

Hermenegildo

Ortiz

Celebrating his 50th anniversary with his wife, Carmen Pajarn and all his grandchildren


We must try to make utopia a viable alternative.

We must put an end to the way of thinking that

leaves Puerto Rico abandoned to its fate''

My grandfather, Don Natalio Encarnacin would

talk to me about the Renaissance. Maybe these

talks stemmed from his love of the fine arts, but as

time progressed, I understood how symbolic

Leonardo Da Vinci was to the movement. He was a

painter, a sculptor, designer of military weapons,

inventor, scientist, etc. Since the day that I met Don

Hermenegildo Ortiz Quiones I was impressed by

his personality that emulated a renaissance man. He

was a man of great intellect and kindness, who

served Puerto Rico with admiration to his fellow

men. I will always remember his sincerity, his smile,

and his generous spirit.

Mereyo was born in his beloved town of Humacao

in 1931. He was one of four sons, educated to

know the value of dedication and hard work. These

virtues were essential in the life of his family, as was

shown by the support of his brothers after the

death of his father that resulted in them growing up

to become professionals. He was a musician and an

athlete, but his passions lied in sports: basketball,

baseball, volleyball, and track and field. I still

remember the years of him playing, still with his

DTOP uniform, competing and representing his

agency. While he was studying civil engineering, he

was a catcher at the college and also was a leader

to his team Mulos del Valenciano, a team coached

by Perucho Cepeda and with the talent of Manoln

Maldonado Denis as pitcher and Roberto Clemente

in center field. Mereyo was such a great player, he

was offered to play professional baseball with the

Mayagez team.

The experiences that Mereyo had while he served

the United States Army always had an impact on

him as an engineer. After serving in Texas and

Washington, D.C., he was transferred to the London

base at the time of the British New Towns Act, a law

whose purpose was to regulate the development of

new towns in the outskirts of the city. This would

earn him a scholarship for the prestigious University

of Harvard in Boston, Massachusetts where he

would study Planning.

Mereyo participated in the making of the

Transportation and Land Use Plan which was

dedicated in the reorganization of the metropolitan

area. His goals included creating urban limits,

resolving the problem of urban sprawl, reducing the

dependency of the automobile and protecting

agricultural reserves.

In 1965, when Dr. Salvador Padilla founded the

School of Planning at the University of Puerto Rico,

Mereyo transitioned to the role of professor and

went to Cornell to finish his doctorate in Urban

Planning. In 1974, during the presidency of Rafael

Alonso, he became a member of the Planning Board.

Three years afterwards, he returned to academia,

where he would later receive student complaints as

the Dean of Students. In that phase of his life he was

instrumental in creating peace within the University.

The strikes, political abuse and tear gas had made a

mark on student life. Mereyo, a great mediator,

was able to achieve a balance of ordered

development of the University and the peaceful

participation of the students full of vigorous energy.

This gathering of students and administration would

last several decades.

During the leadership of Governor Rafael

Hernndez Coln (1989-92), Mereyo was named

Secretary of the Department of Transportation and

Public Works, where he would begin to

conceptualize El Tren Urbano (The Urban Train). To

achieve this he fought with the governor, who

preferred to develop the highway infrastructure.

With the governors authorization and federal funds

he was able to start the planning process.


Presenting the Mass Transit System for the Metropolitan Area of

San Juan with Mayor Hctor Luis Acevedo.

Source: El Mundo Newspaper Collection, 1990

Eng. Jos Pepe Izquierdo Encarnacin

President Puerto Rico Chamber

of Commerce

Mereyos

strength and

determination

of the

government as

an instrument

to make the

collective good

was

extraordinary.

Jos M. Izquierdo

Encarnacin, President

Chamber of Commerce

Puerto Rico


In 1967 he prepared an extraordinary study

regarding the transportation in the metropolitan

area by the firm Wilburt &

Smith in association with

Don Salvador Padilla for

the Department of Public

Works. This study had the

human being as the center

of the city and its

transportation,

transportation as a

service. The interview

with Luis Rafael Rivera

tells us: there was no

need to start with a

Cadillac, it could be a

Toyota. The most

expensive vehicles were

purchased, and lifeless

stations were constructed.

Public transit needs to be viewed as a way of

keeping the city organized; a multi-modal system

(buses, shared rides, trolleys), not like a single

route.

He accomplished numerous projects as Secretary.

Perhaps the one that first comes to mind are the

bridges of Baldorioty

de Castro Avenue. As

a result of lots of

planning and

preparation the

duration of the

construction lasted

one weekend using

novel methods of

prefabrication.

Videos and photos

were recorded of the

days and nights

during the 72 hour

installation will

remain an important

part of history. His

great smile became

even greater with

the satisfaction of

finishing on time. The only problem was that after

accomplishing this great feat, all projects were

desired to be done in 72 hours time. Another

project important to engineering in Puerto Rico was

the Caguana Bridge. As a structural engineer, this

project was a great feat. The bridge was constructed

over the Caguana River in

Utuado and was the first

curved bridge built in

Puerto Rico and perhaps in

the United States using

incremental launching. In

other words the

construction was done

pushing from the pilasters,

without the use of

formwork.

The development of the

Teodoro Moscoso Bridge

was another novel work

accomplished to connect

the area of Hato Rey with

the Luiz Muoz Marn

Airport over the San Jos Lagoon, novel in respect to

the design and construction. The development was

possible through a Public Private Alliance, which now

is a commonality. In terms of design and

construction, the use of circular steel piles

accelerated the construction in an extraordinary

manner.

Without a doubt, Dr.

Ortiz was a star in

the administration

of Governor Rafael

Hernndez Coln.

His strength and

determination of the

government as an

instrument to make

the collective good

was extraordinary.

In 1996, several

diverse groups

convinced him to

run for candidature

for a Senator for

San Juan (PPD).

Their hopes were

in the Humacao-

born citizen who was incapable of overlooking the

problems of their city. Such examples of these

problems that the citizens would constantly face

included: obstacles in the sidewalks and visual


Presenting the Bridge over San Jos Lagoon project;

today the Teodoro Moscoso Bridge

With Gov. Rafael Hernndez Coln and Jorge Bigas, Executive Director of

the Puerto Rico Highway Authority, 1989. Source: El Mundo Newspaper


implementation of the Urban Center Program which

was an essential part of the governments platform.

I remember the numerous discussions of policies and

outlines. In those discussions we learned the

concepts of Planning Action, or in other words,

planning that develops the society. It was he who

denied permission to the Navy to practice military

practices since twenty percent of the bombs fell on

sea-land and prevailed.

Unfortunately for our country, for reasons I believe

had to do with the overwhelming development

occurring at that time, Mereyo abruptly ended this

position.

Mereyo served the country until his last day. He

was always kind and generous with everyone. I

remember in occasions where I would be appointed

to a new position, I would receive a bowtie in the

mail that would be his way of showing me his

affection and professionalism. I will always treasure

this privilege.

The interview of Luis Rafael Rivera of the newspaper,

el Nuevo Da, and the Reynaldo Alegrias Blog were

the base of quotes and dates in this recognition to as

extraordinary professional that dedicated his life to

public service.

contamination such as damaged or vandalized signs.

I had the pleasure of attending several campaign

meetings and it was in those meetings I witnessed

the dreams that are possible for a Puerto Rico with

order and service to the public. A city alive, open,

with real function, not a fictitious function, with an

urban area with a mixed, participative public that

generates mixed uses instead of ghettos.

In 2001, Mereyo was appointed as the Planning

Board President for the Governor Sila Maria

Caldern. Mereyo was the architect in the

An extraordinary professional that dedicated his life to public service

Former Governor Sila M. Caldern appointing

Mereyo as President of the Puerto Rico Planning

Board, 2001

Since the day

that I met Don

Hermenegildo

Ortiz Quiones I

was impressed

by his

personality that

emulated a

renaissance

man. He was a

man of great

intellect and

kindness, who

served Puerto

Rico with

admiration to

his fellow men.

Eng. Jos Pepe

Izquierdo

Encarnacin

CCPR President



catch up to his brothers. They say that as a boy he

was interested in transportation, since he wanted

to be a garbage truck driver when he grew up.

When he was 11 years old, he was left fatherless

and his brother Eduardo, Eddie, together with his

mother took over the household. My uncle halted

his studies and started working so the rest of his

siblings could study.

Product of the public school system, not only was

he a good student, my father was also a

distinguished athlete, especially in baseball, as a

catcher. He would tell us that when he was in

Mayaguez, he had to decide where his future

would go: the sport that was holding him back or

engineering. However, the fear and respect for his

mother led him to become a licensed Civil Engineer

in 1953. He served in the United States Army as a

Sergeant and afterwards was awarded a

scholarship from the Government of Puerto Rico to

attend Harvard University, where he obtained a

Masters Degree in Urban Design in 1958. He

experienced years of fear and humiliation for being

black and Puerto Rican, however that strengthened

him and showed him how disadvantaged people

feel.

Our fathers example, apart from his siblings and

especially Eddie, was Don Aquedo Mojica, a self-

taught famous leader from Humacao, in whose

house renowned personalities would have

gatherings to discuss various topics. Thus the

distinctive use of the bowtie was born, as Don

Aguedo also used it.

My father met my mother Carmen Pajarin, a

beautiful Spanish gal from Madrid, who was on

vacation for 3 months and renewed her visa to

marry. Then on December 31st, 1961, our parents

decided to form a family. They say opportunities

are painted bald and both won in that decision

(meaning one must take the chance head-on when

it comes).

In 1978 he completed a Ph.D. at Cornell University.

During these years my father started working

towards the country we all know. Initially in the

Puerto Rico Planning Board and later at the

Dr. Uroyon Walker, President of the University

of Puerto Rico, Dr. Carlos Severino, Chancellor,

Advice Members, Ladies, Gentlemen, Friends,

good evening.

On behalf of our family, we express our most

profound gratitude for having taken the time to

accompany us in this very special ceremony,

where the University of Puerto Rico honors the

memory of Dr. Hermenegildo Ortiz Quiones,

affectionately known as Mereyo.

Trying to summarize his work in a few words can

be more than a challenge, since our father

distinguished himself in many areas of the Puerto

Rican society. Also, they have already been

shown by the media. For this reason I would like

to talk to you about my fathers upbringing and

where his greatness lies.

Hermenegildo was born in Humacao, Puerto Rico

on April 10th, 1931. The 4th son of a humble

couple, Carmen and Hermenegildo. My

grandmother, Im not sure if out of being tired or

that she was out of arguments, had to accept

him being named Hermenegildo and that is how

he came to be known as Mereyo, to differentiate

him from my grandfather who was Merejo.

He grew up spoiled by his sister Carmen, 3 years

older than him, and always running trying to

Posthumous Tribute to Dr. Hermenegildo Ortiz Mereyo

Livable City First Congress, SPP 2002

Mara del C. Ortiz Daughter

Dr. Hermenegildo Ortiz Quiones


University of Puerto Rico as founder, together with

Dr. Salvador Padilla Asensio, RIP, of the Graduate

School of Planning in 1965. He was also Dean of

Students from 1986 to 1988, streamlining and

simplifying the enrollment process and

implementing two graduations per year, among

others. My father was a university professor most

of his professional career, and was at the university

where he established friendships with his fellow

professors and his students who later helped him

in his vision to become an extraordinary public

service for our beloved Puerto Rico. Great friends

who helped him achieve his goals and kept him

busy until his final days, seeking his knowledge and

making him feel needed. Today we share his

achievements with all his friends, colleagues and

with the people of Puerto Rico, because it is known

that our father could not have done this urban

transformation alone.

However, my fathers greatness, in my humble

opinion, lies the unconditional and intense love he

had for what he did, and devoted himself to that

love without reservations, completely, and without

fear. It is that love which guided his steps. He loved

and revered his parents and siblings, deeply loved

and gave himself to this country, fighting to make it

better, always through knowledge, with the

satisfaction of a job well done to perfection. He

didnt allow that the hate or the indifference of

others undermine his confidence. By recognizing

his shortcomings, he was able to convert them into

his strengths. He showed us that we all can strive

to be better people. That in order to overcome the

first impression others had of him, forgetting he

was black, he won them over with his knowledge,

his smile, and his impeccable attire. His example

taught us that not all battles are won by fighting,

that a smile can win over the toughest critic, that

it is important to cultivate the art of listening with

respect in order to be heard, and to trust your

fellow man and accept them without

reservations. He poured his heart into everything

he did. That is why we are all here, honoring that

love he gave us.

In the fall of 2010 we received the news that he

had Parkinsons disease. It was very difficult to

watch as a man that was always moving,

participating in so many activities, contributing in

so many places slowly lose his Independence. He

never showed neither fear nor pain and accepted

these changes with dignity. He went with the

flow, fighting until the end. Hermenegildo died as

he lived. With purpose, planning and

contemplating the future, silently, without noise,

and with dignity.

Along his lifetime, his work for the country has

been recognized in many occasions. This past 4th

of November, 2014, the Graduate School of

Planning paid a heartwarming tribute which made

him very happy. And it is for our family, within

this great pain, an immense joy that his last

tribute be also held at the University of Puerto

Rico. Thank you all.

Posthumous Tribute to Dr. Hermenegildo Ortiz Mereyo

However, my

fathers

greatness, in my

humble

opinion, lies the

unconditional

and intense

love he had for

what he did,

and devoted

himself to that

love without

reservations,

completely, and

without fear.

Mara del

Carmen Ortiz

Daugther of

Hermenegildo

Ortiz


career and a new challenge, which I faced with

enthusiasm and determination, an excellent

experience of continuous learning and a great

opportunity to serve the people of Puerto Rico.

Thus, as I learned and worked with highway

and transportation plans, thanks to his example

my love grew for this beautiful island in which I

decided to stay and adopt as my second home.

During the celebration of the Planning Week, in

September 1990, the Puerto Rican Planning Society

awarded him the Pedro Tirado Lameiro Award as

the most distinguished Planning Professional for his

long history as a public servant, educator,

researcher, writer, and for his contribution to the

social and economic development of the country.

Upon receiving this award, Doctor Ortiz invited his

fellow planners to be active in the planning, design,

and implementation of strategies for social action,

thus emphasizing the social value of planning.

In 1992, during one of his lectures on

transportation and urban development, Doctor

Ortiz said: the boundary between urban and

rural in Puerto Rico is becoming more diffused

every day, not only in terms of Construction but

also in terms of the expectations, values and life

styles, and in the use of available land, rural areas

have become land waiting to be urbanized. The

result has been our extreme dependence on the

private automobile as a method of transportation

with longer trips due to congested roads, and a

sprawled growth, one of low population density

and high density land use in scattered activities,

which is simply no longer a viable development

model for our cities. Due to the lack of a Land Use

Plan, this is something that still has not changed.

Looking towards the 21st century, we face the

challenge of redeveloping our cities and

transforming our mass transit system. Our cities of

the future must return to the integration of

functions and heterogeneity: that we may live,

work, shop, procure services, and enjoy ourselves

in one same area or in areas that are relatively

nearby.

In his vision of the Livable City, Doctor Ortiz said:

We want attractive and aesthetically pleasing

cities that facilitate coexistence. Well thought and

constructed cities for pedestrians and not for

private automobiles, even though the latter may

have its place and routes within them. It has been

When I received the invitation to write this article

about Dr. Hermenegildo Ortiz Quiones I

immediately accepted, but I must confess it has

been a great challenge, first because of his

multiple virtues as a human being and his

qualities as a professional, and secondly because

I fear not being able to find the right words to

describe the professor, the colleague, the friend,

and the excellent public servant. Therefore, I will

limit myself to sharing with you some of his

expressions on the topic of the Livable City, that

city of which he spoke of in academia, and from

his efforts as Secretary of the Department of

Transportation and Public Works and as

President of the Planning Board, the dream of

our esteemed colleague and friend, the dream of

planners, the dream of all of us who wish for a

better quality of life for Puerto Rico.

I was never able to address him as Mereyo, for

me he was always Doctor Ortiz. I met him in 1980

when I arrived in Puerto Rico to start my master

degree in Planning at the Graduate School of

Planning of the University of Puerto Rico, Rio

Piedras Campus, and already from his lectures I

learned to recognize and value the wisdom of his

silences.

Together with Dr. Salvador Padilla, his friend and

colleague, he was advisor of my planning project,

and later gave me the opportunity in

participating in a research project about the

historic zone of Ponce.

In 1989, as Secretary of the DTPW he invited

me to be his Special Assistant for Planning.

This meant a change in my professional

The Livable City, Our Dear Mereyos Dream

Martha Bravo Colunga Planning Supervisor of

DTOP/ACT


more than twenty years since he expressed these

words and every day we stray further away from

that goal.

As Secretary of the DTPW, he continuously

emphasized that road and transportation plans

should be designed in the context of the city that

we aspire to be in this historic beginning of the 21st

Century, devoting resources to improve and more

efficiently manage existing facilities,

complementing them with new roads only in the

corridors that so require it and adequately

addressing the aspects of aesthetics and

urbanism.

He firmly believed that we must develop public

transit systems that would be efficient,

dependable and safe, vehicular congestion will

not be relieved by constructing

more highways, this is only

achieved momentarily,

since solving the

problem produces a

new attraction

which encourages

even more the use

of the

automobile. We

must turn to a

multimodal system

where work and the use of

the private automobile are not

synonymous, so that we can reduce vehicle

congestion in our cities, shorten travel time

between destinations and improve our urban

environment. Yet, apart from efficient and safe,

our modes of transportation should positively

target our urban environment, by being

aesthetically attractive, both at the street,

highway, and public transit corridor level.

For the purpose enabling this transportation

system, in 1991 legislation was approved to

broaden the functions of the Highway Authority to

turn it into the Highway and Transportation

Authority and reaffirm the authority of the

Secretary of the DTPW to formulate and

implement public policy on transportation. Thus,

Doctor Ortiz proposed a heavy rail mass transit

system that would not only serve as an efficient

mean of moving people, but also this system would

contribute to reorganize urban development and

reduce pollution, a system that would be an

integral part of the city, and that is why he named

it Tren Urbano [Urban Train].

Doctor Ortiz stated that building this

transportation system, of course would entail

costs, however, not building it would cost us our

continuing reliance on the private automobile as

the main mode of transport in the city, which

apart from impacting family budgets, it would

continue costing the city and the country in the

deterioration of their urban centers, in urban

sprawl, in loss of rural land, in taxes aimed at

public services and infrastructure to serve even

more disperse urban developments, in loss of

economic growth potential to attract

international activity. In general, not building it

would cost many more billions in

deterioration of the urban,

economic, natural, and

social environment.

The Urban Train

was built, but

Doctor Ortiz

lamented that

the project

strayed very much

from serving as an

element for

reorganizing our urban

spaces, however he continued to

work for his dream, carrying the message of the

walkable city, the safe city, the livable city.

We will always remember his wisdom and

humility, his example as a good public servant,

the love for his family and for Puerto Rico, and his

vision of the accessible, inclusive, livable city. It

was a privilege to be part of his team. His legacy

will continue to be an inspiration for those of us

who are committed to keep working towards a

better Puerto Rico, for those of us who want to

be part of the construction of the livable city

Mereyo dreamed of.

Martha Bravo Colunga, PPL

Forever Student of Mereyo

The Livable City, Our Dear Mereyos Dream

We will always

remember his

wisdom and

humility, his

example as a

good public

servant, the

love for his

family and for

Puerto Rico,

and his vision of

the accessible,

inclusive,

livable city.

Plan. Martha

Bravo Colunga

Planning

Supervisor of

DTOP


In Honor to the Memory of My Father

above all and seek its wellbeing by providing far

more than what was received.

The University and especially the Graduate

School of Planning, was and still is his chosen

place to put in practice the above mentioned.

Where he has also cultivated his friendships with

fellow professors and students, who later

accompanied him during his other government

efforts. Friends that to this day continue seeking

his knowledge and experience. For us, our

fathers occupation was always University

Professor. And his achievements up to that

moment were already enough to remember him

by. Yet, he always recognized that the

culmination of all his sleepless nights, of all his

effort, of everything learned came at the hands of

Governor Rafael Hernandez Colon, who trusted

him as his Secretary for the Department of

Transportation and Public Works. We know the

results of his accomplishments.

In the past few years, his efforts for the country

has been recognized in many occasions.

However, in a humble way, his being named as a

Man of State by the Governor of Puerto Rico and

being distinguished among men and women that

have also done so much for Puerto Rico, fills us

with much pride and drives us to follow his

example.

There were three (3) principles that governed

my fathers life. The importance of knowledge in

the formation of a complete human being, the

satisfaction and pride of a job well done, and

the deep love for everything he did, especially

for Puerto Rico.

Since he was a child my father learned that

through study, in his case an opportunity which

he took full advantage of, one marks the

difference between being or simply existing.

Furthermore, he understood that if he only

focused on his strengths, results would not be

so convincing. And with blind faith in himself,

and from the humility of recognizing that one

can always be better, he dedicated himself to

turn his weaknesses into strengths. For

example, to counteract his lack of speech

fluency, he studied the art of writing with

meaning, and to conceal his shyness, he

created his weapon of mass destruction, his

eternal smile.

He also learned, through the example of his

parents, that a job should be done right; that the

effort, tenacity, will, perseverance, and

determination put into any task, be it large or

small, brought joy to the soul, even if the results

were not what we expected. That the

homeland, just as the mother, we must love

Taking oath at Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Public Works by Rafael Alonso

Alonso, the Associate Supreme Court Judge during a ceremony held at the University of Puerto

Rico, Humacao campus and accompanied by his wife Doa Carmen Pajarn. Source: El Mundo

Collection, UPR-RP

Mara del C. Ortiz Daughter

Dr. Hermenegildo Ortiz Quiones


During the depression of the decade of the 30s of the past century, Humacao was a town with the Catholic Church at the center and barely five or six paved roads, the rest were unpaved. That was our Puerto Rico, without expressways or luxury vehicles, without 20 or 30 story buildings, nor millionaires with mansions. Our people had less, but we were richer.

It was in that Humacao, which in a brief synthesis I will describe and in which I had the privilege of meeting Hermenegildo Ortiz Quiones, whom practically everyone referred to him as Mereyo. He was around nine years old and was in the fourth grade, and my sister Yolanda was his classmate. I was barely seven years old and studying in the second grade.

Mereyo belongs to a simple family, very respected, admired and loved in our town, whose family head was Don Hermenegildo (Merejo) and Doa Carmen Quiones. His siblings were Julio Armando (Coca), Eduardo (Eddie), and Carmen Aurora (Mima). Coca was a medical surgeon; Eddie was a Professor at the UPR Law School, and a Superior Judge; Mima was a Professor of Mathematics at the UPR; and Mereyo was an engineer, Professor and Founder of the Graduate School of Planning of the UPR, and also past Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Public Works of Puerto Rico.

Being an era without television and where only a few homes had a radio, practically all the children played sports. Essentially that was the way my friendship started with Mereyo, one which spanned over three quarters of a century. A friendship that, through the years became tight-knit until it became unbreakable and which reached its end weeks ago, when time stopped for Mereyo.

The Mereyo I knew, apart from being a talented student, was also an excellent baseball player. He was a high averaging baseball hitter, one who hit line drives when there were runners on base and the fate of the game hung in the balance. He was usually catcher, but due to our great friendship, so I could also play I was also a catcher Mereyo convinced the coach to let him play First Base. That is how we played together in Humacao in the categories of Future Stars and Juvenile Stars, and in the High School Varsity. When he left to

study engineering at the College of Mayagez and I went to the UPR in Rio Piedras, we spent years with him as the catcher and fourth cleanup batter of Mayagez and I as the catcher and eighth batter at the UPR.

Mereyo would play baseball with the consent of his older brothers, but hidden from Doa Carmen, who thought her son as only studying at the College of Mayagez. His undeniable talent for baseball made the Juncos AA Team, one of the most famous baseball teams since the 40s, recruit and sign him on. However, his engineering studies limited his participation.

As a person, Mereyo was courteous, sometimes shy and simple attitudes with cordial reactions. I never saw him upset, raise his voice or have an argument with someone. He never got into a fistfight, something that was very common during those times. It seemed as if he had a giant lock on his emotions and his marvelous smile served as a direct bridge to the hearts of those that knew him. He was extremely humble. I never heard him boast, brag, or mention his many achievements as a student, athlete, public servant, professor, planner, professional or family head. His indescribable simplicity would not allow it.

Knowing him for years, I can attest to the nobility of his kindness, the gentleness of his efforts, and the depth of his emotions.

As he left the world of the living, Mereyo received fair and well-deserved recognition and appreciation from the government, the academia, his colleagues and disciples, friends, and especially his Dear Family for which he enriched us all and his beloved Puerto Rico.

A Family Man; a Successful Professional; a renowned Public Servant; a First Class Citizen.

Here is a brief synthesis of Mereyo, a Puerto Rican for History. AS SIMPLE AS DEFINITIVE AS ACCEPTABLE AS INDISPUTABLE...

Hermenegildo Ortiz Quiones: A Puerto Rican for History

Future Stars Humacao team, 1945

Mereyo, fourth from right

A family man,

a successful professional,

a renowned public

servant...

A first class citizen

Lic. Osvaldo Gill

Mrs. Carmen Quiones with her children Eduardo, Mereyo, Carmen and Julio

Lic. Osvaldo Gil Bosch Past President

Amateur Baseball Federation of Puerto

Rico


be built through a concession using private financing.

The three projects were well received and received

awards from the renowned College of Engineers and

Surveyors of Puerto Rico. Los tres proyectos fueron

bien recibidos y premiados por el ilustre Colegio de

Ingenieros y Agrimensores. Additionally, the

Baldorioty Overpasses received the Harry E. Edward

Industry Advancement Award and the Teodoro

Moscoso Bridge also received the Highway Finance

Innovative Award from the United States Department

of Transportation. Due to time constraints, on this

morning I wil

volume 29 issue no 1

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