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WASHINGTON \u2014 The White House said it was not feasible to save the East Wing because of structural and other concerns as officials shared details of President Donald Trump\u2019s planned ballroom at Thursday\u2019s meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission.<\/p>\n
Josh Fisher, director of the White House Office of Administration, ticked off issues including an unstable colonnade, water leakage and mold contamination in explaining why it was more economical to tear down the East Wing to make room for the $400 million ballroom than to renovate it.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause of this and other factors, the cost analysis proved that demolition and reconstruction provided the lowest total cost ownership and most effective long-term strategy,\u201d Fisher said.<\/p>\n
Will Scharf, a top White House aide whom Trump tapped to head the commission, opened the meeting by noting \u201cpassionate comments on both sides\u201d of the ballroom project but adding that public comment wouldn\u2019t be part of Thursday\u2019s session.<\/p>\n
\u201cI view today\u2019s presentation really as the start of a process as the ballroom moves through the overall NCPC process,\u201d Scharf said, adding that his objective is for the commission to play a \u201cproductive role\u201d as the ballroom moves ahead.<\/p>\n
In December, the White House submitted its ballroom plans to the commission, which is one of two federal panels that review construction on federal land \u2014 usually before ground is broken. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has sued to halt construction of the $400 million ballroom, accusing the Trump administration of violating federal laws by proceeding before submitting the project for the independent reviews, congressional approval and public comment.<\/p>\n
The first step in the review process for the East Wing Modernization Project is Thursday\u2019s information presentation, during which commissioners can ask questions and offer general feedback. A more formal review is expected in the spring \u2014 including public testimony and votes.<\/p>\n
A summary on the commission\u2019s website said the purpose of the project is to \u201cestablish a permanent, secure event space within the White House grounds\u201d that provides increased capacity for official state functions, eliminates reliance on temporary tents and support facilities, and \u201cprotects the historic integrity and cultural landscape of the White House and its grounds.\u201d<\/p>\n
A comprehensive design plan for the White House prepared in 2000 identified the \u201cneed for expanded event space to address growing visitor demand and provide a venue suitable for significant events,\u201d the summary said. It added that successive administrations had \u201crecognized this need as an ongoing priority.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 12-member National Capital Planning Commission is led by Scharf. He said at the commission\u2019s December meeting that the review process would be treated seriously and be conducted at a \u201cnormal and deliberative pace.\u201d<\/p>\n
Carol Quillen, president of the Trust, told The Associated Press in a recent interview that she takes Scharf \u201cat his word\u201d that the commission will do its job.<\/p>\n
Trump, a Republican serving his second term, has been talking about building a White House ballroom for years. Last July, the White House announced a 90,000-square-foot space would be built on the east side of the complex to accommodate 650 seated guests at a then-estimated cost of $200 million. Trump has said it will be paid for with private donations, including from him.<\/p>\n
He later upped the ballroom\u2019s capacity to 999 people and, by October, had demolished the two-story East Wing of the White House to build it there. In December, he updated the price tag to $400 million \u2014 double the original estimate.<\/p>\n
The White House has announced few other details about the project but has said it would be completed before Trump\u2019s term ends in January 2029. Trump has said the ballroom will be big enough for future presidential inaugurations to be held there. He also said it will have bulletproof glass and a drone-free roof.<\/p>\n
While in Florida last week, the president bought marble and onyx for the ballroom \u201cat his own expense,\u201d the White House said. The cost was not disclosed.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n