Tag

Renovations

All articles tagged with #renovations

politics3 days ago•4 min saved

Whistleblower accuses Kennedy Center of rushed renovations to appease Trump

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse released a whistleblower letter alleging the Kennedy Center bypassed contracting rules and rushed cosmetic renovations to please Donald Trump, with no-bid deals and expensive, supposedly unnecessary work (painting columns white, tile removal) that critics say wasted taxpayer money; costs cited include a $4.4 million deal awarded after work began and about $1.5 million in repairs, plus an $8 million contract for an experienced contractor. A May court ruling later required Trump’s name to come off the building, underscoring Congress’s authority over the center. The episode is framed as part of broader Trump reshaping of Washington, including personnel changes at the Kennedy Center board.

via Al Jazeera|

#governmentcontracting #kennedycenter #politics

politics3 days ago•3 min saved

Whistleblowers accuse Kennedy Center of rushed renovations for Trump's World Cup events

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse says whistleblowers allege the Kennedy Center rushed renovations and bent contracting rules to prepare for events including a Trump-hosted FIFA ceremony, citing rusting reflecting pool, a controversial $8m no-bid flooring contract, and a torn bathroom floor; Whitehouse has asked for documents by July 23; the Center denies bypassing rules and notes ongoing oversight, after previously securing $257 million for renovations.

via The Guardian|

#kennedy-center #no-bid-contracts #politics

politics5 days ago•111 min saved

Tarps Hide White House Renovation as Trump Pushes Makeovers

Tarps painted to resemble the White House exterior cover scaffolding around the North Portico as Trump pushes ongoing renovations, including a planned helipad on the South Lawn and a series of other changes that have transformed the White House during his presidency.

via The Daily Beast|

#donald-trump #helipad #north-portico

politics6 days ago•187 min saved

Reflecting Pool drained again as Trump administration advances repairs

Crews began draining the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool for a second time in three months to fix ongoing issues after the July Fourth fireworks, with officials citing debris, algae, and vandalism concerns. The same contractor, Atlantic Industrial Coatings, will handle sealing the liner and painting the bottom, though timelines remain unclear and partial draining could suffice. The administration has asserted vandals damaged the pool, but concrete evidence and schedules for the next steps have not been publicly detailed.

via CNN|

#algae #politics #reflecting-pool

politics12 days ago•7 min saved

Trump’s DC renovations cast a shadow over the Fourth of July

Trump-era renovations in Washington are reshaping the capital for the 250th anniversary, with cranes over the White House, heavy fencing along the National Mall, and altered events planned for the Fourth. Supporters highlight restored fountains and parks, while critics warn about cost, disruption, and security measures as National Guardsmen patrol the area; the Reflecting Pool repaint has been controversial, adding to debates over how the celebration will look.

via Los Angeles Times|

#fourth-of-july #politics #reflecting-pool

real-estate21 days ago•5 min saved

Cash Buyer Snaps Up $18.5M East Side Townhouse in 3 Weeks

A gut-renovated five-story limestone townhouse at 165 E. 64th St on the Upper East Side sold in an all-cash deal to an international financier for about $18.5 million, just three weeks after listing. Developed by Titanium Property Group, the 7,000-square-foot interior includes six bedrooms, six baths, an elevator, a roof deck, gym and pet spa, with 1,900 square feet of outdoor space. The renovation, which reimagined the brownstone into a modern limestone facade, faced preservation constraints as the property sits within the East 64th Street Historic District, east of Lexington; the sale underscores strong townhouse demand driven by remote-work-era desire for space and privacy.

via New York Post|

#cash-buy #luxury-real-estate #real-estate

politics24 days ago•7 min saved

Court order blocks Kennedy Center’s planned closure, sparks reopen showdown

A federal judge's order prevented the Kennedy Center from initiating its planned two-year renovation shutdown and led to Trump's name removal; Rep. Joyce Beatty alleges the board is letting the venue languish as a 'lifeless husk,' while the center says it will present reopening options (full, partial, or phased programming) and hold a mid-July vote on how to proceed.

via Fox News|

#court-order #donald-trump #joyce-beatty

politics24 days ago•17 min saved

Beatty Slams Kennedy Center as 'Lifeless Husk' Over Trump-Name Renovation Standoff

Kennedy Center officials outlined three renovation options (full closure, partial closure with limited programming, or phased closures maintaining some onsite activity) while the building remains open. Rep. Joyce Beatty’s legal team blasted the center for delaying programming and dragging out the Trump-name removal, calling the tarp and scaffolding a pretext and accusing management of turning the Center into a “lifeless husk.” Beatty’s lawyers argue fiduciary breaches, even as Floca’s filing indicates continued public access to parts of the building and JFK exhibit, with no firm programming plan announced.

via Deadline|

#joyce-beatty #kennedy-center #politics

politics24 days ago•23 min saved

Trump's DC Renovation Frenzy Tightens Access, Frustrates Visitors

Trump’s DC renovation push around the White House and Mall has turned large parts of the area into a construction zone—fences, tarpaulins, and new structures like a proposed Arc de Trump—sparking local frustration as visitors face restricted access and preservationists warn the skyline and heritage could be altered, at a cost of roughly $600 million with taxpayer funds covering half.

via The Guardian|

#national-mall #politics #renovations

politics25 days ago•184 min saved

Kennedy Center’s Crisis Tests Plans as Judge Orders Open Doors During Renovations

Facing a financial crunch amid renovations, the Kennedy Center is weighing three options—close during renovations, host limited events, or close periodically for repairs while keeping programming—after a federal judge ordered it to remain open and continue public programming; a mid-July vote by the board is planned as leadership seeks more time to comply with the court order.

via CNN|

#board-of-trustees #finances #judge-casey-cooper

politics29 days ago•3 min saved

Algae blooms follow Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation and blue repaint

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, DC, completed renovations last week as part of preparations for the nation’s 250th anniversary, and has turned green with algae after the surface was painted blue; National Park Service crews are managing the bloom and directing algae toward an aeration area as work wraps up.

via USA Today|

#250th-anniversary #algae #lincoln-memorial

politics1 month ago•4 min saved

Kennedy Center Ordered to Restore Original Name by June 12

A federal judge ordered the Kennedy Center to drop President Trump's name from its title and signage and revert to The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, with staff instructed to update branding by June 12 as the center proceeds with a $257 million renovation and weighs whether to remain open after July 5.

via CBS News|

#court-order #kennedy-center #politics

politics1 month ago•8 min saved

Satellite photos show White House ballroom, UFC cage and DC upgrades

New satellite photos reveal a broad DC modernization drive: the White House East Wing is being demolished for a new ballroom, the Kennedy Center is slated for a two-year, $200 million renovation, a 250-foot Triumphal Arch is planned near Arlington Cemetery, and the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is being refurbished, with a UFC cage set up for an event tied to President Donald Trump.

via USA Today|

#donald-trump #politics #renovations

politics1 month ago•6 min saved

Judge blocks Trump-led renaming and two-year Kennedy Center closure

A federal judge ruled that renaming the Kennedy Center to include President Trump’s name violates federal law, overturned the plan to close the center for two years for renovations, and ordered the center to revert to its original name; renovations may proceed with broader board input, while a separate bid to force outside consultation was denied.

via Politico|

#court-ruling #kennedy-center #politics

entertainment1 month ago•7 min saved

Lopez Flaunts Fresh Luxury at Her $18M Hidden Hills Renovation During Family Weekend

Jennifer Lopez spent Memorial Day weekend with her children at her newly renovated $18 million Hidden Hills estate, which she purchased for about $17.5 million in February 2025 after finalizing her divorce from Ben Affleck. The updates include a brighter poolside cabana, grass-covered lounging areas, and an overall facelift across the property, which also comprises a main residence, guesthouse, pool house, and a five-stall barn with a private equestrian arena, all managed by smart-home systems. Lopez shared photos and videos from the weekend on Instagram, including moments with her 18-year-old twins Max and Emme.

via Realtor.com|

#entertainment #hidden-hills #jennifer-lopez