Kennedy Center Board Votes to Close Main Building Due to Safety and Funding Issues

<p>The Kennedy Center board voted to close the main building of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., citing safety and funding concerns. The decision was confirmed by Fox News Digital on Tuesday.</p><p>President Donald Trump stated that the board agreed "almost unanimously" to close the building for safety reasons and to initiate reconstruction efforts. He noted that the closure would take effect immediately, but renovations would not commence until the D.C. Circuit Court rules on a dispute regarding the proposed use of his name at the Kennedy Center. Trump indicated that Justice Department attorneys would seek an expedited appeal.</p><p>Trump also mentioned that he had raised $17 million, which has been deposited into the Kennedy Center’s account to support its operations.</p><p>Two additional sources informed Fox News that the board approved the closure during a special meeting. Earlier on the same day, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper blocked the board from renaming the building or grounds to include Trump’s name, stating that such memorials require congressional approval.</p><p>Kennedy Center Vice President of Public Relations Roma Daravi commented that the board’s decision reflects a prioritization of safety. She stated, "As the main building closes for urgent renovations — long overdue and desperately needed to protect the safety of patrons, artists and staff — the Center remains committed to pursuing a safe and efficient renovation through all legal means."</p><p>The closure follows a recent incident where part of the Kennedy Center ceiling collapsed during a rainstorm. Daravi had previously stated that the structural failure highlighted the urgent need for renovations, attributing it to "decades of neglect and deferred maintenance."</p><p>Trump remarked that a security guard had passed through the area shortly before the ceiling collapse, suggesting that the incident illustrated ongoing safety issues within the building.</p><p>The Grand Foyer slab that fell during the structural failure weighed over 150 pounds and fell approximately 60 feet. It remains unclear how long the Kennedy Center will be closed or how the court ruling could impact the closure.</p>