ASLA Urges NO Vote on White House Ballroom Plan

On April 1, the ASLA transmitted public comments to the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) ahead of its final vote on the White House East Wing Revitalization and Ballroom Project, urging a no vote on the final site and building plan. ASLA emphasized the need for full compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, noting that the review process must be completed prior to approval. The comments raised concerns that the proposal advances without sufficient evidence of a thorough Section 106 review and fails to adequately assess potential impacts to the historic White House grounds.

On April 2, NCPC approved the final site and building plans in an 8–1 vote, with two commissioners voting present. The decision follows months of public scrutiny, including more than 39,000 public comments, the vast majority opposing the proposal. ASLA Government Affairs participated in the Commission’s March 5 meeting, where concerns were raised about the project’s scale, compatibility with the historic setting, and adherence to federal planning and preservation requirements.

Separately, a federal judge issued a ruling on March 31 halting construction of the project, citing concerns related to federal review compliance. The decision introduces uncertainty around the project’s timeline, even as the Commission has granted final approval. ASLA will continue to monitor developments and advocate for a process that protects historic landscapes and ensures full adherence to federal preservation law.