The Kennedy Center shut down this week because the executive director felt the building was no longer safe, but could reopen in a week, government lawyers told a federal judge on Thursday.
They said the shutdown is not the start of President Trump’s vision of a two-year closure and full renovation but rather a response to emergency problems at the crumbling building.
“It is a distinct decision by management to address imminent life-safety risks,” Matt Floca, the executive director and chief operating officer, said in an email to staff at 4:44 p.m. Wednesday, hours after fencing went up blocking access to the iconic performing arts center.
The timing was suspicious to critics of Mr. Trump, who also serves as the Kennedy Center’s board chairman.
A day earlier, the president led the board — packed with loyalists — in voting to approve a two-year shutdown for renovations.
But Mr. Floca, in a separate declaration to the court, insisted his closure wasn’t related to the board’s vote.
“I came to the conclusion that acute risks to public safety resulting from continued structural deterioration at the center necessitated a temporary closure of most public spaces in the main building of the center to general public access,” he said.
He called it a “temporary closure” that would allow time to assess the risks.
He said he would reevaluate the closure weekly and try to open areas if they’re safe.
The decision came after a chunk of the roof in the grand foyer crashed to the floor this month. It happened while the building was closed, but officials have said it could have seriously injured or killed patrons or staff if they’d been beneath it at the time.
Mr. Flaco said danger issues have been known for years, and heavy rains accelerated the deterioration.
He said a new assessment shows at least seven additional ceiling spots from water damage.
On the exterior, 46 of the 278 soffit panels have severe corrosion, and 93 have moderate decay.
The fight over the closures is tied to another battle over the center’s name.
Mr. Trump has insisted no renovations can happen without his name being added to the building, which by law is a memorial to former President John F. Kennedy.
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