The project to build a ballroom at the White House, initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump, could receive planning approval from Washington authorities as early as the beginning of March.
The Trump administration demolished the White House’s East Wing in October to make room for a $400 million extension covering approximately 8,400 square meters, which has been stated will be privately financed, Reuters reported today.
Renovation of the neoclassical complex is planned for the summer of 2028 and represents part of the most extensive reshaping of the U.S. capital’s landscape in decades.
The National Capital Planning Commission announced that on March 5 it will consider approval of preliminary and final site and construction plans, according to a draft agenda published online.
The commission is one of two federal bodies—along with the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts—responsible for overseeing major construction projects in the Washington area.
Neither of the two institutions is expected to block or delay the project.
Trump appointed several members to both commissions, and his former lawyer, Will Scharf, chairs the National Capital Planning Commission.
At the same time, the project is the subject of court proceedings.
A federal judge last month expressed doubts about whether the administration had the authority to proceed with construction after the demolition, which had not been approved by Congress.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed a lawsuit in December, claiming the project lacks the necessary approvals and an environmental impact assessment.
In documents published online, the administration stated it had concluded that demolishing the East Wing was the most efficient solution to the White House’s long-standing problems, citing the limitations of the 120-year-old structure, poor energy efficiency, and limited accessibility for people with disabilities.
The released materials provide the most detailed description of the project to date and include illustrations by architect Shalom Baranes.
The administration said it plans to preserve and integrate certain elements of the demolished wing, including the cornerstone and a pergola designed by Chinese-American architect I. M. Pei, according to Tanjug.
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Source: Politika,Foto: Youtube/TODAY