US court blocks immediate demolition of Kennedy Center — ABC News Australia
A US federal court has blocked immediate action to demolish the Kennedy Center in Washington. US District Judge Christopher Cooper ordered the center to provide 30 days’ notice of any significant physical changes to the building.
As ABC News Australia reports, the decision was made after Donald Trump was photographed through the windows of Air Force One with a poster that likely concerned plans to demolish the building. It partially showed the words “Kennedy Center DEMOLIS…” and an image of heavy construction equipment clearing debris.
Center closure
The Kennedy Center was closed to visitors for at least seven days. The institution’s executive director and chief operating officer, Matt Floca, said the reason was acute public safety risks due to the further deterioration of the old building.
According to him, the closure is intended to assess existing risks in parts of the main building with significant structural deterioration. The center, opened in 1971, is named after US President John Kennedy.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Dispute over the name
After the start of his second presidential term, Trump appointed himself chairman of the center. The institution’s board, which included his supporters, voted in December for the name “Trump-Kennedy” and installed signs bearing his name on the building.
The court ordered Trump’s name to be removed from the facade and overturned the board’s decision to rename the institution. Workers removed the signs in June, although scaffolding and protective sheeting remained on the building.
The US Congress allocated $257 million for repairs. Trump stated that the repair work would take place only if the board were allowed to implement the plan to add his name to the building. Lawyers for former board member Joyce Beatty called the center’s temporary closure a pretext for its permanent closure in a court filing.
