MTA renames Newkirk Avenue 2/5 station to Newkirk Avenue-Little Haiti
New station name recognizes Flatbush's longstanding Haitian-American roots
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on Thursday formally renamed the Newkirk Avenue subway station in Flatbush, serving customers on the 2 and 5 lines, to its new name as Newkirk Avenue-Little Haiti. The name change reflects the station’s location in a section of Flatbush, which is home to New York City’s thriving Haitian-American community. The proposal to rename the station is a result of legislation included in the 2021-2022 FY Enacted New York State Budget sponsored by Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn and State Senator Kevin Parker, who both represent the neighborhood in Brooklyn.
The legislature provided funding for the costs of new signage, alterations to maps in the station and on subway cars to reflect the name change, as well as to update the audio systems on platforms and in trains. The renaming is one element in a broader civic project known as the Little Haiti Brooklyn initiative that aims to honor the neighborhood’s unique Haitian roots while also bolstering economic development in the area.
“I’m thrilled to recognize the significant impact of Brooklyn’s Haitian-American community with the renaming of this station,” said MTA Acting Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “As a longtime Brooklynite, I am keenly aware of the significance that this neighborhood plays as a center of Haitian-American life and culture. This is an exciting day for the entire borough and for Haitian-Americans across the city.”