Trump White House Seeks NCPC Approval for 33,000‑Square‑Foot Underground Visitor Screening Facility in Sherman Park
The White House is seeking National Capital Planning Commission approval for a 33,000‑square‑foot underground visitor screening facility to be built entirely on federal land in Sherman Park, southeast of the White House, with the project listed on the NCPC's April 2 agenda. The plan calls for multiple entry lanes for initial ID checks, a new lobby and a secondary checkpoint to accommodate large groups, could start as early as this fall with completion by July 2028, would remove and replace at least six trees while keeping the Sherman statue and restoring park landscaping, and — as White House spokesman Davis Ingle said — is intended to modernize the visitor experience and highlight history amid backlash and legal challenges over other Trump‑era projects.
📌 Key Facts
- The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) will consider the proposal at its April 2 meeting and the project is listed on that agenda.
- The proposal is for a 33,000‑square‑foot underground visitor screening facility to be built entirely on federal land in Sherman Park, southeast of the White House.
- The facility's operational design calls for multiple entry lanes for an initial ID check, a new lobby, and an additional checkpoint configured to accommodate large groups.
- Construction could begin as early as this fall and be completed by July 2028.
- The plan would remove at least six trees (to be replaced with native species) and includes landscape restoration intended to "enhance the park's character" while keeping the Sherman statue in place.
- White House spokesman Davis Ingle is quoted framing the project as a modernization of the visitor experience that also highlights history.
- The proposal comes amid backlash and legal challenges over other Trump‑era construction projects, including the East Wing ballroom, a two‑year Kennedy Center renovation, and a proposed triumphal arch.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2024, Black service members comprised 17.4% of the active-duty U.S. military, compared to 13.6% of the U.S. population, indicating overrepresentation.
Demographic Profile of the US Military Community — Veterans Breakfast Club
Black veterans report higher levels of combat exposure compared to White veterans, contributing to racial disparities in health outcomes.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in U.S. Veteran Health Characteristics — PMC
Racial disparities in food insecurity persist, with Black households experiencing rates about twice as high as White households from 2000-2023, potentially exacerbated by oil price increases affecting food costs.
Food Insecurity Defined by Racial Disparities Across the Country — AJMC
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms the National Capital Planning Commission will consider the proposal at its April 2 meeting and that the project is listed on that agenda.
- Specifies that the underground facility will be entirely on federal land in Sherman Park, southeast of the White House.
- Provides more operational detail on visitor flow: multiple entry lanes for initial ID check, then a new lobby and another checkpoint designed to accommodate large groups.
- States that construction could begin as early as this fall and be completed by July 2028.
- Notes that at least six trees will be removed and replaced with native species and that landscape restoration is planned to "enhance the park's character" while keeping the Sherman statue in place.
- Includes a direct quote from White House spokesman Davis Ingle framing the project as modernizing the visitor experience and highlighting history.
- Adds that the move comes amid backlash and legal challenges over other Trump‑era construction projects, including the East Wing ballroom, a two‑year Kennedy Center renovation, and a possible triumphal arch.