WASHINGTON, United States: A ceiling collapse at the Kennedy Centre Friday evening caused no injuries but prompted officials to renew calls for a two-year shutdown to allow $250 million in renovations.
Roma Daravi, the centre’s vice president for public relations, said part of the ceiling fell inside the grand foyer during stormy weather in Washington. Photos showed a large hole above the hallway and debris scattered across the red carpet.
Daravi said the damage strengthened the case for closing the venue for renovation and revitalisation. She attributed the failure to years of deferred maintenance under previous leadership.
The Kennedy Centre’s board is seeking to close the building for two years while it undergoes $250 million in work. The board is also pursuing plans to place President Donald Trump’s name on the building’s facade.
US District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled in May that Trump’s name had been added illegally and ordered its removal. He also blocked the administration from shutting the centre for renovations.
Read: US Kennedy Centre Removes 24-Foot ‘Blue’ Sculpture
The court is now considering an August board vote seeking to restore Trump’s name to the facade. Justice Department lawyers have argued that renovation donations could decline without his name on the building.
Grace Terpstra, founder of the community group Keep the KC, questioned whether the limited ceiling damage justified closing the entire venue. Her group is opposing the proposed shutdown.
Read: Kennedy Centre Name Ruling Removes Trump Sign
The ceiling incident comes after the Kennedy Centre removed Joel Shapiro’s large outdoor sculpture “Blue” last week. The centre did not give a reason for taking down the work.
