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cliffside

(1,454 posts)

35. Demolition for new White House ballroom doesn't need approval, Trump-appointed commission head says

Tue Oct 21, 2025, 03:50 PM

Tuesday

September 4, 2025

https://apnews.com/article/trump-ballroom-national-planning-commission-approval-f537fa373705d560a9842b6250aee9ef

"WASHINGTON (AP) — Demolition to build President Donald Trump’s new ballroom off the East Wing of the White House can begin without approval of the commission tasked with vetting construction of federal buildings, the Trump-appointed head of the panel said Thursday.

Will Scharf, who is also the White House staff secretary, said during a public meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission that the board does not have jurisdiction over demolition or site preparation work for buildings on federal property.

“What we deal with is essentially construction, vertical build,” Scharf said. He called Trump’s promised ballroom “one of the most exciting construction projects in the modern history of” Washington.

.... Scharf said the White House hadn’t yet submitted building plans for the White House renovations but when that happens, “I’m excited for us to play a role in the ballroom project when the time is appropriate for us to do so.”

Trump deputies take over powerful D.C. planning commission
Jul 11, 2025

https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/07/11/trump-deputies-take-over-powerful-dc-planning-commission

"Why it matters: The National Capital Planning Commission casts make-or-break votes on construction projects in key parts of the city and serves as tastemaker for design across the Washington region (see: the upcoming RFK Stadium redevelopment).

But in a twist, its three new presidentially-appointed members — all White House officials — are using it to needle Powell, claiming the Fed chair is mismanaging a costly rehab of the Fed's headquarters on Constitution Avenue, perhaps as pretext to fire him for not lowering interest rates.
Driving the news: The board's new chairman is Will Scharf, the White House staff secretary, also known as the man on TV who hands Trump executive orders to sign.

Michael Blair and Stuart Levenbach, also White House officials, were named to represent Virginia and Maryland, respectively."

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Clark Construction, general contractors. [View all] niyad Tuesday OP

DURec leftstreet Tuesday #1

Who issued the permits? The agencies with the authority to issue them are shut down now. Ocelot II Tuesday #2

Great questions! SheltieLover Tuesday #3

Excellent points niyad Tuesday #5

+1 dalton99a Tuesday #14

Who issued the permits? Dave Id Tuesday #27

Hint, they were signed in kacekwl Tuesday #38

I read that Trump fired the agencies that give permits for the WH. Irish_Dem Tuesday #4

I suggested they post the permits on their website as proof. niyad Tuesday #7

EXCELLENT suggestion. Irish_Dem Tuesday #10

I called and asked for permits to be posted. She wanted my name and to have someone call me. Ah. That's a no. Simply cbabe Tuesday #11

I am surprised that they are still answering their phones! niyad Tuesday #15

Ty for sharing! SheltieLover Tuesday #6

You know, just a thought but if have Newsom trolling Trump on social media.. we don't have people following what he's halobeam Tuesday #8

The permits should be public, but if they are real they should be on file Ocelot II Tuesday #9

EXACTLY!!! niyad Tuesday #16

Not sure how DC is, but here in Pennsylvania, building permits are posted Deminpenn Tuesday #17

That's true here, too, but how is anyone going to get access to the site Ocelot II Tuesday #21

Telescopic photo lens? Deminpenn Tuesday #23

The fact that there are laws requiring a building permit to be posted Ocelot II Tuesday #24

It sounds like you are blaming Gov. Newsom's excellent trolling niyad Tuesday #18

Yes, you are misunderstanding:) I love his posts... I was making a point that there is someone on TOP of things as he halobeam Tuesday #39

Thank you for explaining so kindly and clearly. Please accept my apologies for niyad Wednesday #40

Krasnov didn't go through the planning commission, gab13by13 Tuesday #12

I'll watch for their GoFundMe page after the work is complete and they don't get paid. Midnight Writer Tuesday #13

You can bet popsdenver Tuesday #31

I'm sure that their agreement was predicated on where the decimal was placed. Orrex Tuesday #19

And may they choke on it, assuming they ever get paid. niyad Tuesday #20

There's world class liars in charge. Just a thought. twodogsbarking Tuesday #22

All construction projects moniss Tuesday #25

If they have a permit you can be sure it's posted where it can't be seen by members of the public. Ocelot II Tuesday #26

On the other hand... ShazzieB Tuesday #28

Distraction from EPSTEIN SheltieLover Tuesday #29

I'm doubting they have an actual permit rather than just some moniss Tuesday #33

Over the past several days, I've seen posts here on DU that say permits Totally Tunsie Tuesday #30

Try painting your shutters the wrong shade of the right color in any historic district in Anytown, USA Marie Marie Tuesday #32

UNAUTHORIZED destruction, apparently. thank you for the number. guaranteed call. somaticexperiencing Tuesday #34

Demolition for new White House ballroom doesn't need approval, Trump-appointed commission head says cliffside Tuesday #35

Web site LiberalArkie Tuesday #36

This brings back memories of an Embassy built by the Soviets taxi Tuesday #37