The John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts board voted to advance a $250m renovation plan that includes closing the main building and adding President Donald Trump’s name to the facade, according to the New York Times and confirmed by board member Joyce Beatty. The vote bypasses a federal court order barring the name addition and facility closure.
Board Votes to Advance Renovation and Signage Plan
The board of the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts voted once again to move forward with Donald Trump’s plan to temporarily shutter the Washington facility for substantial renovations. According to the New York Times, the board also voted to inscribe the US president’s name on the building’s facade, despite a federal order requiring its removal.
The board consists largely of handpicked allies of the president. Members voted to close the Kennedy Center’s main building while keeping a newer addition known as the Reach open for limited programming. According to the reporting, the Reach will operate as an active memorial to John F Kennedy during the construction work.
Did you know?
The board reportedly voted to add an inscription beneath the institution’s main signage that reads: “Restored and Renovated by President Donald J Trump.” The result was independently confirmed by Joyce Beatty, a Democratic US representative from Ohio who sits on the board, alongside legal representatives.
Federal Court Battles and Statutory Authority
The latest board actions directly challenge prior rulings issued by US District Judge Christopher Cooper. In May, Cooper ordered Trump’s name to be removed from the building’s facade after the president had it added the previous year. Cooper ruled that the addition was illegal because only Congress possesses the authority to change the institution’s official name.
The center complied by removing the name in June, but that legal decision remains under appeal. Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty criticized the board’s newest maneuver in a public statement.
“This latest development is a transparent effort to circumvent the Court’s ruling, and flies in the face of the statutes that Congress passed,” Beatty said. “I will continue to fight for this treasured national monument.”
The Kennedy Center was contacted for comment regarding the vote. Any final implementation of these board decisions remains subject to approval by a US federal judge.
Closure Plans and Infrastructure Overhaul
Judge Cooper previously issued a temporary block on Trump’s demand to close the arts institution for two years of renovations. That closure was originally scheduled to start in July following a unanimous board vote in March, which Beatty subsequently challenged in court. Cooper halted the initial plan by ruling that the decision to suspend operations appeared ill-informed and preordained.
In his May ruling, Cooper stated that the board was derelict in discharging its full range of responsibilities to the center. He noted that the board relied on an insufficient, one-sided presentation of information and neglected statutory obligations regarding programming and memorial functions.
Pro Tip for Following the Case:
The Kennedy Center has until next week to share its formal plan with Judge Cooper. The judge will review the submission to determine whether the board carried out sufficiently thorough due diligence prior to casting its votes.
Ahead of the meeting, center management presented the board with three distinct operational approaches, according to the Associated Press. Those options included a complete closure, a partial closure allowing limited public access in unaffected spaces, and a third option featuring a highly limited series of phased closures to address critical infrastructure needs while maintaining a full performance schedule.
The New York Times reported that the board reviewed a comprehensive plan for a $250m renewal project. The proposal outlines significant repair work, new marble floors, acoustical improvements, and a temporary relocation of the famous 3,000-pound bronze bust of JFK to another building on the campus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the board vote controversial?
The board voted to advance facility closures and add President Donald Trump’s name to the facade despite a federal court order ruling that previous name additions were illegal and that the closure plan lacked proper due diligence.
What is happening to the Reach?
Under the board’s voted plan, the newer campus addition known as the Reach will remain open for limited programming to function as an active memorial to John F Kennedy.
Who must approve the renovation and signage plans?
The decisions made by the board are subject to final approval by US District Judge Christopher Cooper, who directed the center to submit its detailed plans for review.
Join the Conversation
What are your thoughts on the ongoing renovations and legal battles at the Kennedy Center? Share your perspective in the comments below, explore our related coverage of federal arts institutions, or subscribe to our newsletter for updates.
Related reading