The White House has proposed the construction of a new underground security screening facility for visitors, aiming to enhance security and streamline access to the iconic building. The planned facility will occupy approximately 33,000 square feet and feature a seven-lane entrance. Visitors and tour groups would pass beneath a nearby park before gaining access to the grounds for tours and events. This proposal was submitted to the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) and is scheduled for discussion during their meeting on April 2, 2024.
The new facility is part of a broader renovation initiative led by President Donald Trump, who aims to modernize the White House campus. It is intended to replace the previous visitor screening area located in the East Wing, which was demolished last fall to pave the way for a planned 90,000-square-foot ballroom, part of Trump’s “legacy project.” The NCPC meeting will also include a vote on this ballroom proposal, which has faced public scrutiny.
Efforts to construct an underground screening complex at the White House have been discussed for decades. Following the September 11, 2001, terror attacks, the National Park Service initiated studies to evaluate the feasibility of such a project. Although a similar facility was successfully built at the U.S. Capitol, attempts to create an underground structure at the White House have met opposition. According to sources familiar with the discussions, previous plans were frequently rejected due to funding challenges and a lack of support from Congress, the Secret Service, and the White House.
Visitors currently enter the White House through temporary structures, which provide a basic first impression of the historic building. The proposed facility aims to improve this experience significantly. As visitors arrive at the site, located just southeast of the White House, they will have their tickets and identification checked before proceeding through a ramp into a planned 5,000-square-foot sunken plaza. This design aims to reduce congestion and minimize wait times.
The plans also state that the monument dedicated to Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman, which stands in the center of the park, will be “protected in place.” The White House has expressed that the new facility will not only enhance security on campus but also improve the overall experience for visitors.
Site preparations for the new screening facility could begin as early as August 2023, with an anticipated completion date set for July 2028, roughly six months before the conclusion of Trump’s potential second term in office.
While Trump has asserted that the ballroom project will be funded entirely through private donations, the estimated cost has escalated from $200 million to $300 million and now stands at $400 million since its announcement last July. The approval process for the ballroom has been delayed due to public feedback, with over 32,000 comments submitted, the majority expressing opposition to the construction.
As discussions continue regarding the proposed underground screening facility and the ballroom, the administration will need to navigate funding challenges and public sentiment to move forward. The upcoming NCPC meeting will provide further clarity on these ambitious renovation plans.
