Sept. 4 Grand Foyer ceiling collapse cited in push for closure
The Kennedy Center’s board has proposed a renovation plan whose facade inscription would read “The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Restored and Renovated by President Donald J. Trump,” according to UPI.
The board, which was hand-picked by President Donald Trump, has pushed for renovations that would lead to a new name on the facade following a court-ordered removal of Trump’s name. The future of the Kennedy Center has been in limbo since Trump decided to add his name to the building’s facade, leading to a legal battle. A judge ruled that Trump’s name had to be removed, allowing only President John F. Kennedy’s name to stand.
In a separate court filing, the Trump administration threatened to demolish the Kennedy Center if it is not allowed to proceed with renovations.
The board has cited infrastructure concerns to justify its push for closure. On Sept. 4, a chunk of the ceiling fell into the Grand Foyer during heavy rains in Washington. The board called the incident “another example of the urgent need to close for renovation.”
Since Trump’s takeover of the institution in February, the center has suffered from dropping ticket sales and the departure of several high-profile performers. Trump, as chairman, became the first president to host the annual ceremony.
The annual Kennedy Center Honors will be held at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 7, the first time the event, an annual celebration of artists, has been held outside the Kennedy Center since 1978. The Honors has taken place in the center’s Opera House every year since its inception.
The Kennedy Center remains closed while its future is decided in the courts. Last year’s honorees included singer Gloria Gaynor and actor Sylvester Stallone; this year’s nominees have not yet been selected, according to UPI.