BAC Members Restore Historic Terminal

Members of BAC Locals 4 New Jersey and 7 New York/New Jersey helped preserve a significant part of aviation history and a national historic landmark by restoring Newark Airport’s Building 51. Built in 1935 by the Civil Works Administration, this art deco structure set the standard for airports around the world by combining ruby colored terrazzo floors with fine plaster details, and solid masonry construction.

From left, Local 4 NJ plasterers Craig Humphreys, James Corlett, Pat Rodgers, and Frank Reale at Building 51.	Local 7 NY/NJ members polish interior marble at Building 51.

Dedicated by Amelia Erhardt, Building 51 is known as the home of the world’s first air traffic control center, airport hotel, airport weather center, and airport post office. It also served as the lighting platform for the searchlights that guided the world’s first commercial night flights.

Although the terminal aged well during 67 years of service to the traveling public, Building 51 stood in the way of a new plan to increase airport capacity. Instead of demolishing the building, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey decided to move the terminal to a new site 3,700 feet away from its original location.

That’s when BAC members moved in to restore the structure to its original splendor. The five-month project drew on the talents of Local 4 NJ plasterers and tuckpointers, and Local 7 NY/NJ marble mechanics and terrazzo workers. Exterior restoration work, the restoring and rebuilding of cornices and plaster details, and the re-polishing of interior marble and terrazzo work breathed new life into the historic building.