World · North America · 2 hrs ago
Lawyers say Kennedy Center closure push was driven by financial problems
Kennedy Center vice chair Jennifer Fischer urged a shutdown because the institution was broke, according to text messages cited in a court filing.
The messages describe a conversation with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who has helped lead the Trump administration’s effort to reshape the Washington arts center.
The administration says a $200 million renovation requires a two-year closure because the center is in poor condition.
Rep.
Joyce Beatty, a trustee and Ohio congresswoman, is suing to stop the closure and says officials withheld information from the board.
Her lawyers say a revised estimate put the extra cost of renovating in phases at about $41 million, rather than the higher figure officials had cited.
They also argue the center has until fiscal year 2034 to spend renovation funds, not 2029.
A judge has ordered the center to keep operating while the lawsuit continues, and programming is taking place at part of the campus called the REACH.
The Trump administration is seeking to lift that order, while the center’s annual Kennedy Center Honors have moved to Capital One Arena in downtown Washington.
Lawyers for Rep. Joyce Beatty say a Kennedy Center official urged closure because the institution was broke, not because of poor conditions.
The lawyers argue that the Trump administration hid information about the costs of renovating the center in phases.
A court filing says a revised estimate put the extra cost of phased construction at about $41 million.
The Trump administration says the center needs a two-year closure for renovations because it is dangerously dilapidated.
A judge has ordered the center to remain open while Beatty’s lawsuit continues.
- Who
- Rep. Joyce Beatty and her lawyers are challenging the planned closure. Kennedy Center officials and the Trump administration are seeking to proceed with it.
- What
- Beatty’s lawyers argue that financial problems, rather than poor conditions, drove the push to close the center for two years.
- When
- The court documents were filed Friday night. The texts they describe are from September.
- Where
- The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC.
- Why
- Beatty’s lawyers say the board was misled about renovation costs and the deadline for spending congressional funds. The administration says the center’s condition requires a two-year closure.
Beatty and her lawyers
Trump administration and Kennedy Center officials
Reason for closure
Beatty and her lawyers
Financial problems drove the push to close the center, Beatty’s lawyers argue.
Trump administration and Kennedy Center officials
The center needs a two-year closure because conditions are dangerously dilapidated and decrepit, the administration contends.
Renovation approach
Beatty and her lawyers
The center could renovate in phases; lawyers say the board was not shown a revised estimate that put the added cost at about $41 million.
Trump administration and Kennedy Center officials
Kennedy Center Director Matt Floca told trustees that phased construction would double costs, according to Beatty’s lawyers.
Text messages described a conversation in which Vice Chair Jennifer Fischer urged Howard Lutnick to close the center.
Lawyers for Beatty filed documents challenging the rationale and process for the closure.
A judge issued a temporary restraining order requiring the center to remain open while the lawsuit continues.
The Trump administration sought to have the judge’s order lifted.
- Revised phased-construction estimate
- About $41 million in additional cost
- Renovation funding
- $257 million appropriated by Congress
- Spending deadline claimed by officials
- End of fiscal year 2029
- Spending deadline argued by Beatty’s lawyers
- Fiscal year 2034
- Temporary court order
- Requires the center to remain operating while the lawsuit continues