The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is pushing back against claims of wasteful spending and improper contracting in its renovation projects during the Trump administration. In a statement, Kennedy Center officials argue that critics, including Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, have mischaracterized the renovation efforts.
The center's officials claim that the senator's allegations contain key facts that are incorrect, including the characterization of an $8 million flooring contract. They say the center is not subject to federal contracting rules cited by critics and that the renovation work was done in compliance with the law.
Kennedy Center officials describe the renovations as part of a long-term infrastructure renewal addressing decades of deferred maintenance, rather than cosmetic projects motivated by politics. They say the work was made possible through new funding secured under the leadership of President Donald Trump.
Apart from the flooring contract, the center disputes allegations involving the installation of a bathroom floor, steel columns, and renovations beginning without congressional authorization. They say these claims rely on incomplete or misleading descriptions of renovation projects and misunderstand the institution's legal authority and procurement process.
Kennedy Center Vice President of Public Relations Roma Daravi said, "The Center has taken measures to responsibly and transparently stabilize the facility while preparing for the comprehensive infrastructure renewal that decades of deferred maintenance have made unavoidable."
The center also cited a recent federal court ruling that it says supports the legal framework governing its renovation efforts. The ruling, made on May 29 by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, reaffirmed the institution's legal status outside the executive branch.
Kennedy Center officials dispute Whitehouse's contention that the institution was required to follow the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). They say the FAR governs executive agencies, while the Kennedy Center is overseen by a bipartisan board of trustees established by Congress.
The center also defended its selection of Low Country Flooring for the $8 million flooring contract, saying the company was the only vertically integrated contractor in the Mid-Atlantic capable of sourcing wood directly from timber mills while maintaining the grain consistency and acoustic performance required inside the concert hall.
Kennedy Center officials also disputed allegations involving decorative columns and reflecting pool repairs, saying the work was done in compliance with federal small business requirements and standard preservation work.
The center had formally responded to Whitehouse's inquiry, providing the senator with a detailed rebuttal of the allegations and sharing its position with Fox News Digital. The Kennedy Center also transmitted its response to the senator on Thursday morning.
