The Long Island Power Authority recently announced that it will rename its East Garden City Substation to the “Stewart Avenue - Uniondale Hub” Substation.
The decision flows from a proposal by LIPA Chairwoman Tracey Edwards and endorsed by the LIPA Community Advisory Board, in response to community advocacy and concerns over the social justice and economic implications of how East Garden City is currently identified on official maps compared to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2015 American Community Survey.
The Greater Uniondale Area Action Coalition and its leadership requested the change, which has been working to rectify a long-standing point of contention in their community with previous mappings that display incorrect Uniondale borders.
The change will distinguish between East Garden City and Uniondale and symbolizes an effort to unite the Uniondale community.
Tracey Edwards said, “This decision reflects LIPA’s commitment to listen to our communities, including those serving on LIPA’s Community Advisory Board and working with them to address their needs. Renaming the substation to ‘Stewart Avenue - Uniondale Hub’ honors the identity of Uniondale and helps rectify the issues associated with the previous name. We are proud to be part of this positive change.”
John Rhodes, Acting Chief Executive Officer of LIPA, said, “The renaming of this substation is not just a symbolic gesture, it’s a concrete step towards addressing the historical divisions that have affected the Hamlet of Uniondale. We are grateful to the Greater Uniondale Area Action Coalition, Jeanine Maynard, and all those in the community who have voiced their concerns to us. This change reflects our commitment to social justice and our ongoing effort to ensure our actions align with the values of the communities we serve.”
The newly named Stewart Avenue -- Uniondale Hub Substation is already a critical part of the electrical infrastructure, playing an important role in meeting New York State’s clean energy goals, LIPA noted.
The Stewart Avenue - Uniondale Hub Substation will continue to be "instrumental in integrating renewable energy into the electric grid, supporting LIPA’s mission to provide cleaner, more reliable power to Long Island and the Rockaways."
Jeannine Maynard, a leader of the Greater Uniondale Area Action Coalition and member of LIPA’s Community Advisory Board, said, “This name change is a victory for Uniondale. It’s about reclaiming our community’s identity and pushing back against years of efforts to divide us. I am grateful to LIPA for listening to our concerns and taking this important step.”
Dr. Mary Bediako, President of the Uniondale Board of Education, said, “This name change is a meaningful step toward recognizing the history and identity of our community. It reflects a commitment to inclusivity and respect for the voices of Uniondale residents. We are grateful to LIPA for listening to our concerns and making this important change, which honors the rich cultural fabric of our neighborhood.”
The official census-designated borders of Uniondale include Southern State Parkway (to the south) and Merrick Avenue (to the east) at the northern portion, with a connection to Meadowbrook Parkway for the southward portion. The actual boundaries lie between the Village of Hempstead and the Village of Garden City (to the west) and Old Country Road (to the north).
