Donald Trump’s Renovation Plans For The Kennedy Center: New Court Documents Give A Glimpse Of Two-Year Project’s Budget
The Kennedy Center is slated for closure on July 7, in what President Donald Trump says is a needed pause in operations to make badly needed repairs to the sprawling complex on the Potomac.
Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH), an ex officio member of the board, is seeking a court order to block the planned closure, arguing that the decision was rushed and lacked adequate review, and that it was a pretext to make up for the exodus of artists. She also is asking a court to order the removal of Trump’s name from the center.
In her latest filings, Beatty’s legal team also included documents that shed light on the renovation plans, funded by $257 million included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Trump has said that the repairs are badly needed, with deterioration including water leaks and damage, as well as an aging HVAC system. The president has talked multiple times about plans to replace seating in the concert hall.
Read the draft budget for the Kennedy Center renovation project.
Per the budget document, more than $47 million will go to infrastructure, including $18 million for plaza level waterproofing, $6 million for garage repairs and subgrade waterproofing and $14 million for the terrace level overhang and roof. Also included in the infrastructure budget: $3.5 million for landscaping upgrades, $500,000 for fountain restoration, and $350,000 for stabilization along Rock Creek Parkway. Security improvements will include $2.5 million for the River Plaza perimeter, $500,000 for vehicle force protection and $2 million for exterior and glass door replacement.
Donald Trump’s plans for the center include renovations to the Concert Hall. This slide, included in Rep. Joyce Beatty’s court filing, was part of materials presented to the center’s building & grounds committee.
Another $67 million will go to upgrade public spaces, including $20 million for “front of house” renewal, $7 million for restrooms, $2 million for “wayfinding,” and $8 million for the box office relocation. Another $19 million will go to office renovations, and $11 million will be spent on elevator and escalator repair.
The draft budget includes $48.5 million to renovate performance venues, including almost $23 million for the Concert Hall, $8 million for the Opera House, $7 million for the Eisenhower Theater, $3 million for the Family Theater, $2 million for the Terrace Theater and almost $1.8 million for the Theater Lab restoration.
Another $78.2 million is budgeted for safety and building systems, including $30 million for sanitary and domestic piping, $10 million for central plant upgrades, $16 million for the condensor loop, $20 million in electrical system upgrades and $1.5 million for the river pump room.
The budget also includes almost $8 million for administrative costs.
