A coalition of eight leading cultural heritage and architectural organizations jointly represented by three law firms today filed suit in federal district court in Washington, D.C., USA seeking to require the U.S. administration to comply with historic preservation laws and secure Congressional authorization before implementing the recent plans to further alter the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
The filing follows statements by the President of the United States that he may take the building “down to the steel” during a two-year closure beginning July 4, 2026. Plaintiffs cite the lesson learned when the President assured the American public that the East Wing of the White House would remain untouched during construction of his ballroom—and then approved its complete demolition.
The plaintiffs include: the American Institute of Architects; the American Society of Landscape Architects; the Committee of 100 on the Federal City; the DC Preservation League; Docomomo US; the National Trust for Historic Preservation; the Society of Architectural Historians; and The Cultural Landscape Foundation. Collectively, the organizations have more than one million members and supporters.
“The Kennedy Center campus is a nationally significant example of Modernist design. From its processional arrival experience to its terraces, which afford sweeping views of the Potomac River and civic monuments, landscape architecture is integral to this important cultural monument.”
Charles A. Birnbaum, Founding President & CEO, The Cultural Landscape Foundation
Completed in 1971, the Kennedy Center is among the most prominent cultural institutions in the United States and an iconic architectural treasure. The building and grounds have been determined eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, which triggers processes and protections under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Because the Kennedy Center serves both as the nation’s living memorial to President Kennedy and as the United States’ principal national performing arts center, changes to the building and grounds carry cultural and symbolic significance far beyond the nation’s capital.
“The Kennedy Center and its grounds are part of our shared public realm. Federal law requires careful, informed reviews to guide decisions about its future, accounting for preservation law, public input, cultural understanding, and long-term stewardship. Following proper process to honor the Kennedy Center’s role as a national civic landmark matters.”
Brad McCauley, President, American Society of Landscape Architects
The lawsuit, and a request for a preliminary injunction that plaintiffs expect to file soon, will ask the court to halt any demolition or substantial alteration until the government completes required public review and consultation processes.
The complaint makes clear that plaintiffs do not challenge routine repairs and maintenance, for which Congress recently appropriated $257 million. Rather, plaintiffs seek to prevent irreversible harm to defining architectural and historic features without the process and authority required by law.
Original Text: The Cultural Landscape Foundation
Image Credit: Flickr User: Geoff Livingston
