US President Donald Trump has announced plans to demolish the entire existing structure of the East Wing of the White House to build a new ballroom. This decision comes despite prior claims that the new construction would not interfere with the current building. The proposed demolition has drawn significant criticism from Democrats and conservation organizations, such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which has called for a public review process.
As a former property developer, Trump is familiar with navigating planning regulations, often facing opposition from campaigners regarding his development plans. The White House and several other significant structures are exempt from a major historic preservation law established nearly 60 years ago, although it is noted that presidents typically adhere to the spirit of this law.
Under the National Historic Preservation Act, federal agencies are required to assess the impact of construction projects on historic properties. This includes a review process mandated by Section 106 that seeks public input. The law was enacted by then-President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1966 amid growing concerns over the preservation of cultural and historical landmarks.
Section 107 of the same act lists specific buildings, including the White House, as exempt from certain reviews. Historically, presidents have often submitted their plans to the National Capital Planning Commission for oversight before beginning work. While Trump officials have indicated intentions to follow this protocol, it appears that demolition has already commenced.
Experts like Priya Jain, chair of a heritage preservation committee at the Society of Architectural Historians, emphasize the importance of adhering to established preservation processes. Jain argues that evaluations regarding the necessity and scale of such a ballroom addition, and its impact on the historical significance of the East Wing, should have been thoroughly considered.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c397jvrrm4mo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss