The Trump administration has proposed constructing a 33,000-square-foot underground facility to screen visitors to the White House. According to plans listed on the agenda for the National Capital Planning Commission's April 2 meeting, the facility would be built entirely on federal land in Sherman Park, southeast of the White House.
Key Takeaways
The Trump administration has proposed building an underground visitor screening facility at the White House to modernize the tour experience. The 33,000-square-foot facility would be built beneath Sherman Park and is expected to begin construction this fall with completion by July 2028.
- White House proposes underground screening facility for visitors
- Facility to be built in Sherman Park, southeast of the White House
- Construction could start as early as August, with completion by July 2028
- The project aims to enhance security and visitor experience
- Funding details and sources not yet provided
The new facility would allow visitors to queue in multiple entry lanes for an initial ID check before proceeding to a new lobby and another checkpoint. The proposed screening area is designed to accommodate large groups. Construction could begin as early as this fall and be completed by July 2028, according to CBS News. The plans were developed by the Executive Office of the President in conjunction with the U.S. Secret Service, the Interior Department, and the National Park Service.
The move comes amid other major construction projects in Washington, including the White House's new East Wing ballroom and a two-year renovation of the Kennedy Center. The NCPC says it is working to mitigate the facility's impact on historic sites, with plans for landscape restoration that include removing at least six trees and replacing them with suitable native species.
The White House has stated that the new Visitor Center will be state-of-the-art in design and highlight the beautiful history of the White House and our Nation's Capital. However, details on the estimated cost and funding sources have not been provided by the NCPC according to CBS News. The proposal will be discussed at the NCPC’s April 2 meeting.
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