Old “Compass Rose” Uncovered During Binghamton Airport Project

A bit of history has been exposed during a remodeling project at Greater Binghamton Airport.

Construction workers recently uncovered a "compass rose" while sanding down the floor at an entrance near the ticketing counter in the terminal building.

Some workers at the airport in the town of Maine are hoping the compass will not be removed as part of the demolition being done as the facility's $54 million makeover project continues.

Broome County aviation commissioner Mark Heefner said the art was not on the original floor when the airport opened in 1952. He said he believes it was added in the mid to late 1960s.

Heefner told WNBF News there doesn't appear to be any historical significance to the compass rose. He said it apparently had been covered up in 2011. He said it's one of two that were featured on the floor of the airport in the past.

The commissioner said there are some cracks in the newly-uncovered compass rose. He said officials are "trying to determine what we can and can't preserve" as the modernization project moves forward.

Heefner said there are "compliance issues" that will be taken into consideration in determining what will happen as plans are finalized for the new flooring in that section of the airport.

WNBF NEWS VIDEO: A closer look at a "compass rose" that's now visible in the Greater Binghamton Airport terminal building.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.