Kennedy Center Erects Fences After Judge Blocks Trump Name Plan and Board Orders $257 Million Repair Closure
Updated
Updated · PBS NewsHour · Sep 16
Kennedy Center Erects Fences After Judge Blocks Trump Name Plan and Board Orders $257 Million Repair Closure
3 articles · Updated · PBS NewsHour · Sep 16
Summary
Fencing surrounded the Kennedy Center’s main building Wednesday, and activists said vehicle and pedestrian access had been cut off a day after the board voted to close most of the venue.
Rep. Joyce Beatty, an ex-officio trustee, sought an emergency court hearing, arguing the closure was unlawful and could be used to evade a judge’s order by restricting public access or enabling demolition.
U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper had blocked plans to add Trump’s name to the facade, plaza and a proposed endowment inscription, ruling the changes could not proceed without Congress.
Trump and Kennedy Center allies say the 55-year-old building needs immediate safety work after a ceiling chunk fell this month, but Trump also said the congressionally allocated $257 million in repairs would proceed only if naming plans moved forward.