"Large amount of public input" delays White House ballroom vote

The NCPC is not expected to vote today on the contentious White House East Wing Modernization proposal, due to "the large amount of public input on the project".

In a statement released this morning, the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) announced that the expected vote on the ballroom today may not happen.

"Commission is not expected to vote on the project"

The NCPC, which approves building projects of historic significance in Washington DC, cited the thousands of public comments as the reason for the delay.

"At this time, the commission is not expected to vote on the project, but instead will vote at a later date, to be determined, given the large amount of public input on the project," said the NCPC, adding that more information will be announced during the hearing.

At least a hundred members of the public are expected to speak during the review of the proposed 90,000-square-foot (8,360 square metre) project, designed by local architect Shalom Baranes Associates.

Many of the cited public comments were in opposition to the project, especially to the unceremonious demolition of the previous East Wing structure last year.

Funding and demolition outside scope of NCPC review

In response to the comments, the NCPC has stated that the majority relate to the private funding of the project and to the demolition, which it said is "oustide of its purview".

"Many comments raise concerns about the demolition of the former East Wing, and the funding sources for the project, both of which are outside of NCPC's scope of review," said the NCPC.

"While NCPC acknowledges the concerns raised in these comments, those are issues that are not germane to NCPC's review of the project or the commission's actions."

Among the testimonies to be heard today is that of National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP) CEO Carol Quillen. The NHTP previously submitted a lawsuit to delay the construction of the ballroom, which was rejected by a federal judge.

Ahead of the testimony, Quillen published her prospective testimony, asking for the NCPC to take heed of the comments from the public and to reduce the size of the ballroom.

"Comments submitted to you show how this could be done," said Quillen.

"The resulting ballroom would be smaller and it would hold 1,000 people for a seated dinner. It would be lower in height and it would still accommodate the functions proposed in the current plan. It would respect the building's original architectural style," she continued.

"Listening to the views of the American people and incorporating the best of our ideas will result in a better overall project as it builds a shared sense of purpose on a contentious issue."

The NCPC's approval of the plans is one of the last steps in making the ballroom a reality. Trump aide Will Scharf chairs the NCPC.

Recently, the seven-member Commission of Fine Arts unanimously approved the Baranes scheme.

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